How does Anderson's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Anderson (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Anderson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

333.9 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Anderson, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Anderson	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Anderson compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Anderson, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Redding, California	78.1 mg/L	122.5 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	river
Shasta Lake, California	82 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Red Bluff, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	25.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Chico, California	122 mg/L	4.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Anderson compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Anderson	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Anderson's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 333.9 mg/LpH: 7.8

The City of Anderson Water Company supplies drinking water to the approximately 11,667 residents of Anderson, California. Their entire water supply comes from groundwater, with no surface water from reservoirs or rivers being treated. Before distribution, the water undergoes disinfection, typically with hypochlorite, to ensure it meets state and federal drinking water standards.

Anderson's groundwater originates in the Sacramento Valley, where aquifers are formed from Quaternary river deposits and older Tertiary sediments. These layers rest above deeper marine and non-marine formations rich in carbonate and silicate minerals. As the groundwater filters through these geological strata, it dissolves calcium and magnesium, leading to the characteristically hard water found in the valley.

Residents of Anderson will likely notice scale buildup on fixtures and appliances due to the water's hardness. Items like dishwashers, coffee makers, and water heaters are especially prone to scaling, making periodic descaling with vinegar or cleaning solutions a good idea. For those experiencing frequent spotting on glassware or diminished soap lathering, a water softener is often recommended. The City of Anderson’s supply consistently meets EPA health standards, with no reported violations.

Geology & Source: Alluvial aquifers in unconsolidated Quaternary sediments; dissolution of calcium and magnesium from carbonate and silicate minerals results in hard water

Other California Water Reports

Redding

78.1 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Shasta Lake

82 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Red Bluff

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Chico

122 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anderson's water safe to drink?

Yes. Anderson's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Anderson?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Anderson's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Anderson compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Anderson (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Anderson is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.