Capitola Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.2 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
273 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
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 Capitola, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Capitola | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -28% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -24% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Capitola compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Capitola, California | 106 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Live Oak, California | 85.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Santa Cruz, California | 81 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Scotts Valley, California | 140 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Watsonville, California | 182 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Capitola compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Capitola | 106 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Capitola's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Capitola, California, in Santa Cruz County — a Santa Cruz County city adjacent to Aptos and Santa Cruz on the Monterey Bay coast — receives its water from the Soquel Creek Water District, drawing from the Purisima aquifer and Soquel Creek through the central California coast distribution.
The moderately hard 106 mg/L hardness and TDS of 273 mg/L reflect the Santa Cruz County supply's moderate central California coast character — the Pliocene Purisima Formation and Quaternary Soquel Creek alluvium are slightly calcareous-calcareous formations in the Santa Cruz coast range; the Purisima aquifer at Santa Cruz County acquires moderate dissolved mineral content from its coastal marine terrace geology (compare Aptos CA: 102/264 in Santa Cruz County comparable; Santa Cruz CA: 109/282 in Santa Cruz County comparable; Capitola consistent moderate from the same Santa Cruz County Purisima aquifer Pliocene supply). The Purisima/Soquel Creek supply — Pliocene Purisima Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Soquel Creek alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Santa Cruz coast terrace deposit (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 106 mg/L with TDS 273, Capitola's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Soquel Creek Water District's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Capitola in Santa Cruz County draws from the Soquel Creek Water on the Soquel Creek/Purisima aquifer (Santa Cruz County, central California coast) — the central California coast at Santa Cruz County draws from Pliocene Purisima Formation (slightly calcareous) and Quaternary Soquel Creek alluvium (calcareous) — California Santa Cruz County Purisima aquifer Pliocene supply produces moderately hard water at 106 mg/L with TDS 273 mg/L.