Benicia Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.6 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
569.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Benicia, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Benicia | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Benicia compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Benicia, California | 182 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Martinez, California | 147.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Vallejo, California | 44.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Hercules, California | 50.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Pleasant Hill, California | 144 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Benicia compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Benicia | 182 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Benicia home
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What Makes Benicia's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Benicia, California, in Solano County — a major east San Francisco Bay area Solano County historic city (Benicia is a significant Solano County city — one of the most historically important cities in California; Benicia served as the state capital of California for 13 months (February 1853 to February 1854 — the Benicia State Capitol is preserved as a California State Historic Park and is one of the few remaining 19th century state capitol buildings in the American West); Benicia had previously served as the site of the first United States Army Arsenal in the Pacific (Benicia Arsenal, established 1847 — one of the most important early US military logistics installations on the Pacific Coast)), home of the Benicia Industrial Park (one of the most significant industrial complexes in the San Francisco Bay Area — home of major chemical and manufacturing companies including Valero Energy's Benicia Refinery (one of the most important petroleum refineries in California)), a diverse Solano County community with a significant artistic and historic preservation population, adjacent to Vallejo in the Carquinez Strait corridor — draws its municipal water supply via the Benicia Water Utility. Water hardness in Benicia measures 182 mg/L — classified as hard.
Benicia's hard supply reflects the Solano County north Bay Area Sacramento River blend's calcareous-moderate character. The North Bay Aqueduct delivers Sacramento River supply to Benicia with limited softening, producing the hard 182 mg/L.
At 182 mg/L, Benicia residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. Benicia Water Utility consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Sacramento River (Solano County via the North Bay Aqueduct) via the Benicia Water Utility — the Solano County east San Francisco Bay area Benicia corridor (Quaternary calcareous-moderate Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta alluvium and Pliocene calcareous-moderate Tehama Formation — the calcareous-moderate north Bay Area Solano County Sacramento River blend; limited softening); hard supply at 182 mg/L in Solano County.