Clovis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
74.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Clovis, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clovis | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clovis compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clovis, California | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 365.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fresno, California | ≈ 60–120 mg/L | 1.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Sanger, California | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 39.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Selma, California | 51 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Parlier, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Clovis compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clovis | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clovis's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Clovis Water Division supplies drinking water to over 115,000 residents in Clovis and the Tarpey Village unincorporated area in Fresno County, California. Primary sources include surface water from the Kings River via the Enterprise Canal and groundwater from 37 wells in the San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin. Six wells include wellhead treatment for DBCP and TCP removal, and one well treats for iron and manganese. No centralized treatment plant names are specified beyond these wellhead systems, which serve the combined distribution network for the city and surrounding area.
The watershed encompasses the Kings River drainage in the San Joaquin Valley, with groundwater drawn from local alluvial aquifers. Geological features include ancient marine sediments, alluvial deposits from Sierra Nevada runoff, limestone, and gypsum formations spanning Pleistocene to recent periods. These formations dissolve calcium and magnesium minerals — along with calcium sulfate from gypsum — into the groundwater, imparting a moderately hard character shaped by the Central Valley's extensive sedimentary history and prolonged mineral contact within the aquifer layers.
Moderately hard water in Clovis leads to moderate scale buildup on fixtures, reduced soap lathering, and spotty dishes. Most affected appliances include water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets, with potential for shortened lifespan and raised energy costs. Regular vinegar descaling, installing scale inhibitors, and using high-efficiency detergents help mitigate issues; a water softener is recommended for optimal home protection. Water meets EPA legal standards (A grade) but exceeds health advocacy guidelines (D score) for contaminants including arsenic, chromium-6, DBCP, and disinfection byproducts; pH ranges 7.44–8.89 from available tests.
Geology & Source: San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin — Pleistocene to recent alluvial aquifers from Sierra Nevada runoff; limestone and gypsum formations contribute calcium sulfate; moderately hard water from sedimentary mineral dissolution
Other California Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clovis's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Clovis?
How does Clovis compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Clovis is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.