Alamo Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
92.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.12
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Alamo, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Alamo | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -4% |
| Washing Machine | 12 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 13.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -7% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Alamo compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Alamo, California | 43.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Danville, California | 86.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Walnut Creek, California | 147 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| San Ramon, California | 52 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Lafayette, California | 53 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Alamo compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Alamo | 43.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Alamo's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Alamo, California, in Contra Costa County — an unincorporated Contra Costa County community adjacent to Danville and Walnut Creek in the east San Francisco Bay — receives its water from the Diablo Water District or EBMUD, drawing from EBMUD Mokelumne River water (Contra Costa County) through the east Bay Area distribution.
The soft 43.5 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 92.2 mg/L reflect the east Bay Area EBMUD Mokelumne River supply's insoluble Sierra Nevada granite character — the softest in the Contra Costa County dataset and consistent with other EBMUD east Bay communities (Cherryland: 75 mg/L; Berkeley: ~72 mg/L). The EBMUD Mokelumne River draws from the Sierra Nevada Batholith — Mesozoic granite (insoluble — primary supply), Precambrian crystalline basement (insoluble), and minor volcanic input. The insoluble Sierra Nevada granite produces the very soft east Bay Area supply.
At 43.5 mg/L, Alamo's water is soft — essentially no scale forms, soap lathers abundantly, and appliances maintain excellent efficiency. Annual descaling is sufficient. The PFAS level of 3.3 ppt is low — the Contra Costa County east Bay Area tech corridor and legacy Concord Naval Weapons Station (Contra Costa County — AFFF) contribute minor background PFAS to Alamo's readings.
Geology & Source: Alamo in Contra Costa County draws from the Diablo Water District on EBMUD Mokelumne River water and local Contra Costa East Bay sources (Contra Costa County, east San Francisco Bay) — the EBMUD Mokelumne drains the Sierra Nevada (Mesozoic granite — insoluble) — California Contra Costa County EBMUD Mokelumne River Sierra Nevada granite watershed produces soft water at 43.5 mg/L with TDS 92.2 mg/L.