Commerce Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
218.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Commerce, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Commerce | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Commerce compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Commerce, California | 90 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| East Los Angeles, California | 147.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Maywood, California | 177 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Bell, California | 171 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Bell Gardens, California | 172.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Commerce compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Commerce | 90 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Commerce's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Commerce, California, in Los Angeles County — a Los Angeles County city adjacent to Downey and Montebello in southeast Los Angeles — receives its water from the Commerce Water Department, drawing from the Metropolitan Water District (Los Angeles County) through the southeast Los Angeles metro distribution.
The moderately soft 90 mg/L hardness and TDS of 218.1 mg/L reflect the southeast Los Angeles County MWD supply's moderate character — the blended SWP (soft Sierra Nevada) and Colorado River (harder calcareous) supply delivers moderately soft water typical of the Southeast Los Angeles MWD communities (compare West Hollywood CA: 80 mg/L; Bell Gardens CA: 95 mg/L on the same MWD blended supply). The MWD blended supply at LA County — Jurassic Sierra Nevada granodiorite (insoluble — SWP dilutant component), Permian Colorado Plateau calcareous (calcareous — Colorado River hardness component), and local Quaternary groundwater (slightly calcareous — minor).
At 90 mg/L, Commerce's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Los Angeles County southeast LA industrial corridor contribute to Commerce's readings.
Geology & Source: Commerce in Los Angeles County draws from the Commerce Water Department on the Metropolitan Water District (Los Angeles County, southeast California) — the MWD blends Sierra Nevada SWP (insoluble) with Colorado River calcareous supply — California Los Angeles County MWD SWP-Colorado River blended supply produces moderately soft water at 90 mg/L with TDS 218.1 mg/L.