Artesia Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
556.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Artesia, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Artesia | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -44% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Artesia compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Artesia, California | 180.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Cerritos, California | 46.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Hawaiian Gardens, California | 177.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Norwalk, California | 113 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Bellflower, California | 179 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Artesia compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Artesia | 180.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Artesia's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Artesia, California, in Los Angeles County — a Los Angeles County city adjacent to Cerritos and Norwalk in the southeast Los Angeles metro — receives its municipal water from California Water Service (Cal Water), drawing from the MWD (Metropolitan Water District) blend (Colorado River and SWP) and local Central Basin Municipal Water District wells (Los Angeles County).
The very hard 180.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 556.1 mg/L are significantly harder than the coastal LA supply (El Segundo: 38 mg/L), reflecting the southeast LA County Central Basin groundwater influence. The Central Basin in Los Angeles County is developed in Quaternary alluvial fill from the San Gabriel Mountains and the Santa Ana River, overlying Pliocene Fernando Formation (calcareous silts). The southeast LA County groundwater is harder than the coastal MWD supply, and blending raises the combined hardness significantly.
At 180.5 mg/L, Artesia's water is very hard — scale builds rapidly in kettles and appliances, a water softener is strongly recommended, and water heaters require annual descaling. The PFAS level of 7.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Los Angeles County southeast industrial corridor, the Central Basin groundwater PFAS legacy (one of the most PFAS-contaminated groundwater basins in California, from decades of industrial contamination), and the southeastern LA County PFAS complex contribute to Artesia's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Artesia in Los Angeles County draws from California Water Service on the MWD Colorado River blend and local Central Basin wells (Los Angeles County) — the Central Basin aquifer is developed in Quaternary alluvium over Pliocene Fernando Formation (calcareous) — California Los Angeles County Central Basin MWD-local supply produces very hard water at 180.5 mg/L with TDS 556.1 mg/L in this Los Angeles County California city.