Tampa
United States · North America
The water
201 mg/LVery hard
Source: Tampa Water Department via Culligan of Tampa · Published figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What very hard water does to hair
Among the hardest water on the map: the mineral film builds fast, especially on porous, bleached or colour-treated hair, and ordinary shampoo alone will not shift it. Plan on weekly chelation and richer conditioning, more so the longer you stay.
The washing routine for Tampa
Chelating (detox) washes do the heavy lifting: about every second wash, with a gentle shampoo between and rich conditioning after. On a long stay, a weekly deep treatment keeps porous or bleached hair from going brittle under the build-up.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): May is the warmest month, averaging 31°C by day, and humidity peaks in September at about 83% on average. In the hot months, sun and sweat do as much damage as the water: shade, a hat and a rinse after swimming carry the routine. In the humid months, frizz is the main event; anti-humidity styling matters more than wash frequency.
Local note: Supply blends river water, groundwater and desalinated seawater; groundwater and desalination share rises in dry periods.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type A and B. Supply: 120 V, 60 Hz.
Full sockets by the sink are standard (the National Electrical Code requires one within 3 feet of each basin, GFCI protected).
A dryer or styler wound for 230 V only will run weak on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you travel.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Tampa properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.