Does Sacramento Have Hard Water? If you’re a homeowner concerned about the quality and safety of your drinking water, this is an important question to ask.
Sacramento water has a hardness of 150 ppm which is considered hard. Water hardness can affect the taste of your drinking water and even cause damage to your plumbing. Sacramento has hard water.
In this article, we’ll explore the hardness of Sacramento’s tap water and what you can do to ensure that your water is soft and safe.
Read my article about water hardness in other cities.
Table of Contents
Does Sacramento Have Hard Water?

Sacramento water has an average hardness of 150 milligrams per liter (mg/L) with a range of 145 to 168. Mg/l are the same as parts per million (ppm). Converting to grains per gallon (gpg), Sacramento’s water hardness is 9 gpg. The USGS defines water with a hardness above 120 ppm as hard.
City | Average Hardness Calcium Carbonate mg/L | Average Hardness Grains per Gallon | Zip Code |
Sacramento | 150 ppm | 9 gpg | 95823 | 95828 | 95822 | 95831 | 95833 | 95835 | 95838 | 95826 | 95825 | 95820 | 95821 | 95842 | 95824 | 95834 | 95829 | 95815 | 95864 | 95818 | 95827 | 95841 | 95819 | 95816 | 95817 | 95832 | 95814 | 95811 | 95830 | 95837 | 94574 |
San Francisco | 47 ppm | 3 gpg | 94112 | 94110 | 94122 | 94109 | 94116 | 94117 | 94121 | 94134 | 94118 | 94124 | 94115 | 94114 | 94132 | 94102 | 94131 | 94107 | 94103 | 94133 | 94123 | 94127 | 94108 | 94105 | 94158 | 94129 | 94111 | 94130 | 94104 | 94128 |
Los Angeles | 127 ppm | 7 gpg | 90011 | 90044 | 90003 | 90026 | 90019 | 90022 | 90037 | 90042 | 90006 | 90004 | 90066 | 90001 | 90034 | 90018 | 90002 | 90063 | 90046 | 90024 | 90057 | 90047 | 90025 | 90065 | 90032 | 90033 | 90023 | 90016 | 90059 | 90027 | 90043 | 90007 | 90045 | 90005 | 90020 | 90031 | 90036 | 90029 | 90049 | 90012 | 90062 | 90008 | 90028 | 90039 | 90041 | 90035 | 90038 | 90061 | 90017 | 90064 | 90048 | 90015 | 90068 | 90040 | 90013 | 90077 | 90014 | 90056 | 90089 | 90010 | 90021 | 90058 | 90067 | 90073 | 90071 | 90079 | 90095 |
Anaheim | 127 ppm | 7 gpg | 92804 | 92805 | 92801 | 92802 | 92806 | 92807 | 92808 |
Bakersfield | 80 ppm | 5 gpg | 93307 | 93306 | 93312 | 93309 | 93308 | 93313 | 93304 | 93311 | 93305 | 93314 | 93301 |
Bellflower | 230 ppm | 13 gpg | 90706 | 90707 |
Buena Park | 236 ppm | 14 gpg | 90620 | 90621 | 90622 | 90623 | 90624 |
Burbank | 271 ppm | 16 gpg | 91501 | 91502 | 91504 | 91505 | 91506 |
Chino | 188 ppm | 11 gpg | 91710 | 91708 |
Chula Vista | 194 ppm | 11 gpg | 91911 | 91910 | 91913 | 91915 | 91914 |
Coachella | 140 ppm | 8 gpg | 92236 |
Compton | 219 ppm | 13 gpg | 90059 | 90220 | 90221 | 90222 | 90223 | 90224 |
Corona | 353 ppm | 21 gpg | 92882 | 92880 | 92879 | 92883 | 92881 |
Cresent City | 59 ppm | 3 gpg | 95531 |
El Monte | 270 ppm | 16 gpg | 91732 | 91731 |
Fontana | 104 ppm | 6 gpg | 92355 | 92336 | 92337 |
Fountain Valley | 199 ppm | 12 gpg | 92728 |
Fountain Valley | 200 ppm | 12 gpg | 92708 |
Fremont | 158 ppm | 9 gpg | 94536 | 94538 | 94539 | 94555 |
Fresno | 123 ppm | 7 gpg | 93722 | 93727 | 93720 | 93702 | 93726 | 93706 | 93711 | 93705 | 93703 | 93710 | 93704 | 93725 | 93728 | 93723 | 93730 | 93701 | 93721 | 93650 |
Fullerton | 254 ppm | 15 gpg | 92833 | 92831 | 92832 | 92835 |
Garden Grove | 119 ppm | 7 gpg | 92840 | 92843 | 92841 | 92844 | 92845 |
Gilroy | 236 ppm | 14 gpg | 95020 |
Glendale | 259 ppm | 15 gpg | 91205 | 91206 | 91201 | 91202 | 91204 | 91208 | 91203 | 91207 | 91210 |
Hemet | 192 ppm | 11 gpg | 92544 | 92545 | 92543 |
Huntington Beach | 240 ppm | 14 gpg | 92647 | 92646 | 92648 | 92649 |
Inglewood | 293 ppm | 17 gpg | 90301 | 90302 | 90303 | 90304 | 90305 | 90306 | 90307 | 90308 | 90309 | 90311 | 90312 |
Irvine | 152 ppm | 9 gpg | 92620 | 92618 | 92612 | 92604 | 92614 | 92602 | 92606 | 92603 | 92617 |
La Habra | 255 ppm | 15 gpg | 90631 |
Laguna Niguel | 273 ppm | 16 gpg | 92607 | 92653 | 92677 |
Lake Forest | 274 ppm | 16 gpg | 92609 | 92610 | 92630 | 92679 | 92691 |
Livermore | 100 ppm | 6 gpg | 94550 | 94551 |
Long Beach | 137 ppm | 8 gpg | 90805 | 90813 | 90806 | 90815 | 90802 | 90804 | 90808 | 90810 | 90803 | 90807 | 90814 | 90822 | 90831 |
Lynwood | 262 ppm | 15 gpg | 90262 |
Mecca | 393 ppm | 23 gpg | 92254 |
Mendocino | 101 ppm | 5 gpg | 95460 |
Menifee | 93 ppm | 5 gpg | 92584 | 92585 | 92586 | 92587 |
Mission Viejo | 274 ppm | 16 gpg | 92653 | 92690 | 92691 | 92692 |
Modesto | 224 ppm | 13 gpg | 95355 | 95350| 95351 | 95358 | 95356 | 95354 | 95357 |
Newport Beach | 274 ppm | 16 gpg | 92603 | 92617 | 92625 | 92651 | 92657 | 92658 | 92659 | 92660 | 92661 | 92662 | 92663 |
Norwalk | 267 ppm | 16 gpg | 90650 | 90651 | 90652 | 90670 |
Oakland | 140 ppm | 8 gpg | 94601 | 94602 | 94603 | 94605 | 94606 | 94607 | 94609 | 94610 | 94611 | 94612 | 94613 | 94618 | 94619 | 94621 |
Oceanside | 168 ppm | 10 gpg | 92057 | 92056 | 92058 | 92054 |
Orange | 108 ppm | 6 gpg | 92867 | 92869 | 92868 | 92865 | 92866 |
Oxnard | 285 ppm | 17 gpg | 93033 | 93030 | 93036 | 93035 |
Pasadena | 255 ppm | 15 gpg | 91104 | 91107 | 91103 | 91106 | 91101 | 91105 |
Pico Rivera | 241 ppm | 14 gpg | 90660 |
Rancho Santa Margarita | 274 ppm | 16 gpg | 92679 | 92688 | 92692 |
Redding | 31 ppm | 2 gpg | 96003 | 96001 | 96002 | 96049 |
Redondo Beach | 370 ppm | 22 gpg | 90277 | 90278 |
Riveside | 71 ppm | 4 gpg | 92503 | 92504 | 92507 | 92505 | 92506 | 92508 | 92501 |
Roseville | 191 ppm | 11 gpg | 95661 | 95678 | 95747 |
Salinas | 160 ppm | 9 gpg | 93906 | 93905 | 93901 | 93907 | 93908 |
San Bernardino | 249 ppm | 15 gpg | 92407 | 92404 | 92410 | 92405 | 92411 | 92408 | 92401 |
San Clemente | 274 ppm | 16 gpg | 92672 | 92673 | 92674 |
San Diego | 241 ppm | 15 gpg | 92154 | 92126 | 92105 | 92114 | 92115 | 92117 | 92113 | 92130 | 92129 | 92128 | 92111 | 92127 | 92122 | 92109 | 92104 | 92102 | 92101 | 92139 | 92103 | 92131 | 92116 | 92124 | 92123 | 92107 | 92110 | 92120 | 92119 | 92108 | 92106 | 92121 | 92140 | 92145 | 92135 | 92147 | 92155 | 92134 | 92132 |
San Jose | 132 ppm | 8 gpg | 95123 | 95127 | 95111 | 95112 | 95122 | 95116 | 95125 | 95124 | 95148 | 95136 | 95132 | 95129 | 95121 | 95120 | 95128 | 95126 | 95118 | 95131 | 95117 | 95133 | 95134 | 95135 | 95138 | 95110 | 95130 | 95119 | 95139 | 95113 |
Santa Barbara | 391 ppm | 23 gpg | 93101 | 93105 | 93103 | 93111 | 93110 | 93109 | 93108 |
Santa Clarita | 271 ppm | 16 gpg | 91350 | 91390 |
Santa Maria | 235 ppm | 14 gpg | 93453 | 93458 | 93455 | 93454 |
Santa Monica | 114 ppm | 7 gpg | 90405 | 90403 | 90404 | 90402 | 90401 |
Stockton | 194 ppm | 14 gpg | 95206 | 95207 | 95209 | 95210 | 95205 | 95219 | 95204 | 95212 | 95215 | 95203 | 95202 | 95211 |
Sunnyvale | 300 ppm | 17 gpg | 94087 | 94086 | 94085 | 94089 |
Temecula | 152 ppm | 9 gpg | 92592 | 92591 | 92590 |
Torrance | 427 ppm | 25 gpg | 90248 | 90277 | 90278 | 90501 | 90503 | 90504 | 90505 | 90506 | 90507 | 90508 | 90509 | 90510 |
Tracy | 143 ppm | 8 gpg | 95376 | 95377 | 95391 | 95304 |
Turlock | 115 ppm | 7 gpg | 95380 | 95382 |
Tustin | 312 ppm | 18 gpg | 92780 | 92782 |
Union City | 89 ppm | 5 gpg | 94587 |
Upland | 150 ppm | 9 gpg | 91784 | 91786 |
Vacaville | 183 ppm | 11 gpg | 95687 | 95688 |
Valencia | 268 ppm | 16 gpg | 91354 | 91355 |
Vallejo | 129 ppm | 8 gpg | 94589 | 94590 | 94591 |
Ventura | 666 ppm | 39 gpg | 93001 | 93003 | 93004 |
Victorville | 31 ppm | 2 gpg | 92392 | 92394 | 92395 |
Visalia | 81 ppm | 5 gpg | 93277 | 93291 | 93292 |
Vista | 161 ppm | 9 gpg | 92081 | 92083 | 92084 |
Walnut Creek | 78 ppm | 5 gpg | 94595 | 94596 | 94597 | 94598 |
Watsonville | 252 ppm | 15 gpg | 95076 |
West Corvina | 150 ppm | 9 gpg | 91790 | 91791 |
West Sacramento | 65 ppm | 4 gpg | 95605 | 95691 |
Westminster | 239 ppm | 14 gpg | 92683 |
Whittier | 260 ppm | 15 gpg | 90601 | 90602 | 90603 | 90604 | 90605 | 90606 |
Woodland | 63 ppm | 4 gpg | 95695 | 95776 |
Yorba Linda | 274 ppm | 16 gpg | 92808 | 92885 | 92886 | 92887 |
Yuba City | 58 ppm | 3 gpg | 95991 | 95993 |
Table – Water Hardness Values – Cities in California
Learn about water hardness in these cities:
Does Naples Have Hard Water?
Does San Diego have hard water?
California Water Hardness
California gets its drinking water from various sources, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater. The water hardness in the state can vary depending on the source. According to a report by the California Water Science Center, the average water hardness in California is 64 ppm, which is considered moderately hard.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. While not harmful to human health, hard water can cause problems such as scale buildup in pipes, reduced water flow, and soap scum on dishes and clothes.
What are the problems caused by hard water?
Hard water can cause a number of problems, including:
- Scale buildup in pipes and appliances
- Reduced water flow
- Soap scum on dishes and clothes
- Reduced efficiency of water heaters and other appliances
- Stains on sinks, toilets, and other surfaces
Who is Sacramento’s Water Provider?
Sacramento’s water provider is the Sacramento City Utilities Department, which manages the city’s water supply and distribution system. The department is responsible for ensuring that residents have access to safe and reliable drinking water, as well as managing wastewater treatment and stormwater management. The department has been serving the Sacramento community for over 100 years and is committed to providing high-quality services to its customers.
Where does Sacramento water come from?
Sacramento gets its drinking water from two main sources: the American River and the Sacramento River. Both rivers are fed by snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and provide a reliable source of water for the city.
Here are some key points about Sacramento’s water sources:
- The American River provides about 80% of Sacramento’s drinking water.
- The Sacramento River provides the remaining 20% of the city’s water supply.
- Water is stored in two large reservoirs, Folsom Lake and Lake Oroville, to ensure a reliable water supply during dry periods.
Is Sacramento’s Tap Water Treated?
Yes, Sacramento’s tap water is treated to ensure its safety and quality. The treatment process includes:
- Coagulation and sedimentation
- Filtration
- Disinfection with chlorine
- Fluoridation
Sacramento Water Quality
Sacramento’s tap water meets all state and federal drinking water standards and is regularly monitored and tested for contaminants.
How Much Water Does the City of Sacramento Use Each Year?
According to the City of Sacramento, the city uses an average of 127 million gallons of water per day, or 46 billion gallons per year.
California Water Use and Consumption in Statistics
California is the largest agricultural producer in the US and uses more water for irrigation than any other state. Residential water use accounts for about 10% of the state’s total water use.
What Can I Do About Hardness in My Water – Water Softeners
If you’re experiencing problems with hard water, there are several options available to you, including:
- Water softening system
- Reverse osmosis system
- Chemical treatment
- Magnetic water conditioner
Conclusion
Sacramento’s water has a hardness level of 150 ppm, which is considered hard. However, the tap water is treated to ensure its safety and quality, and it meets all state and federal drinking water standards. If you’re experiencing problems with hard water, there are several options available to you. A water softener is the best option in most cases.