Chowchilla Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
276.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Chowchilla, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chowchilla | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -28% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Chowchilla compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chowchilla, California | 107.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Madera, California | 67 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Merced, California | 73 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Atwater, California | 33.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Kerman, California | 136 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Chowchilla compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chowchilla | 107.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Chowchilla's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Chowchilla, California, in Madera County — a Madera County city adjacent to Madera and Merced, in the central San Joaquin Valley agricultural corridor at the Highway 99 and Highway 152 junction — receives its municipal water from the Chowchilla Water Division, drawing from the San Joaquin Valley alluvial aquifer through municipal wells supplemented by canal water from the Fresno Irrigation District or Chowchilla Water District (State Water Project).
The moderately hard 107.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 276.4 mg/L reflect the central San Joaquin Valley alluvial aquifer character. The Chowchilla area wells access the Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial fan deposits derived from Sierra Nevada erosion — calcareous granite and granodiorite weathering products blended with calcareous marine terrace sediments at the San Joaquin Valley margin. The moderate hardness reflects the blend of softer Sierra Nevada-derived alluvium and harder older alluvial fan material.
At 107.5 mg/L, Chowchilla's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Castle Air Force Base (Atwater, Merced County — AFFF in the San Joaquin-Chowchilla River watershed), the Fresno agricultural PFAS corridor, and the central California Valley PFAS background contribute to Chowchilla's readings.
Geology & Source: Chowchilla in Madera County draws from the Chowchilla Water Division on the San Joaquin Valley groundwater (Pleistocene alluvial fan aquifer, Madera County) — the Valley alluvial aquifer accesses calcareous Pleistocene alluvium from the Sierra Nevada — California San Joaquin Valley alluvial carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 107.5 mg/L with TDS 276 mg/L in this Madera County California city.