Arcadia Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.1 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
452.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.42
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 Arcadia, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Arcadia | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -47% |
| Washing Machine | 7.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -35% |
| Water Heater | 9.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Arcadia compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Arcadia, California | 156 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Monrovia, California | 34 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Temple City, California | 129 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Duarte, California | 94 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Rosemead, California | 148.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Arcadia compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Arcadia | 156 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Arcadia's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Arcadia, California, in the San Gabriel Valley — a prosperous northern San Gabriel Valley city at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, known for the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, the LA County Arboretum, and a large Chinese-American community — draws its municipal water supply from the Main San Gabriel Basin groundwater and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imported water via the City of Arcadia Public Works Water Division. Water hardness in Arcadia measures 156 mg/L — classified as hard.
Arcadia's hard supply reflects the Main San Gabriel Basin's calcareous San Gabriel Mountains recharge. The Main San Gabriel Basin at Arcadia receives direct recharge from Santa Anita Creek (draining from the San Gabriel Mountains directly above Arcadia) — the Santa Anita Canyon watershed drains the San Gabriel Mountains core, including the Jurassic–Cretaceous San Gabriel Tonalite and Lowe Granodiorite (San Gabriel Mountains crystalline core) with calcareous contact zones, and the Pliocene–Pleistocene San Gabriel River alluvial fan sediments (calcareous gravel and sand from the calcareous San Gabriel Mountains thrust belt). The proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains at the active alluvial fan apex provides maximum calcareous contact recharge, producing the hard 156 mg/L at Arcadia.
At 156 mg/L, Arcadia residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. City of Arcadia Public Works Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the San Gabriel Valley Groundwater Basin (Main San Gabriel Basin) and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imports via the City of Arcadia Public Works Water Division — the north San Gabriel Valley foothills alluvial basin at the mouth of Santa Anita Canyon; moderately hard supply at 156 mg/L — reflecting the Main San Gabriel Basin's calcareous San Gabriel Mountains alluvial recharge.