Brea Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
110.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.14
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 Brea, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Brea | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -7% |
| Washing Machine | 11.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -3% |
| Water Heater | 13.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -10% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Brea compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Brea, California | 51.5 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| La Habra, California | 38.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Fullerton, California | 53 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Placentia, California | 137 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Rowland Heights, California | 165 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Brea compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Brea | 51.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Brea's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Brea, California, in Orange County north of Anaheim at the Chino Hills — a major north Orange County community known as the 'City of Oil, Oranges, and Opportunity' (Brea was founded on oil — the Brea-Olinda Oil Field, one of California's oldest producing oil fields, dating to 1897), home of the Brea Mall, Brea Museum and Heritage Center, and a diverse north Orange County suburban community in the Carbon Canyon corridor — draws its municipal water supply from the MWD blend and Central Basin groundwater via the City of Brea Water Division. Water hardness in Brea measures 51.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Brea's moderate softness — significantly softer than many Orange County communities — reflects the north Orange County MWD supply and effective treatment in the Brea zone. The City of Brea Water Division applies effective treatment to the MWD Colorado River and State Water Project blend, and the Brea distribution zone serves primarily post-1960s north Orange County suburban development. The Brea Hills and Carbon Canyon terrain (Cretaceous Puente Formation — calcareous-moderate), combined with Brea's effective treatment and relatively newer distribution infrastructure, produces the soft 51.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 51.5 mg/L, Brea residents enjoy soft water for a Southern California community. City of Brea Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mixed supply from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Colorado River and State Water Project (SWP) blend and Central Basin groundwater via the City of Brea Water Division — the Orange County north Hills area (Cretaceous Puente Formation and Repetto Formation calcareous-moderate; effective MWD treatment in the north Orange County zone); very soft supply at 51.5 mg/L — reflecting effective north Orange County treatment in the Brea distribution zone.