Cudahy Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.6 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
134.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 Cudahy, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cudahy | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -8% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 13.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -8% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cudahy compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cudahy, California | 61 mg/L | 136.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Bell, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 150 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Maywood, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| South Gate, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 186 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Bell Gardens, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Cudahy compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cudahy | 61 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cudahy's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cudahy is served by Tract 349 Mutual Water Company, a small mutual water utility based in Cudahy, CA 90201, serving approximately 3,132 people across two cities in Los Angeles County. The utility operates groundwater wells drawing from the Central Basin aquifer system, which underlies the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Treatment includes hypochlorite disinfection to meet EPA safety standards before distribution.
The Central Basin aquifer underlying Cudahy is composed primarily of Quaternary alluvial deposits interspersed with older Tertiary marine and non-marine sediments. The geology of this coastal plain basin includes layers of clay, silt, sand, and gravel with limited exposure to carbonate-rich formations, producing groundwater with moderate mineral content typical of urban Southern California aquifers influenced by both natural geochemistry and historical land use patterns.
Cudahy's groundwater exhibits hard to moderately hard characteristics common to the Los Angeles Basin, with residents potentially experiencing scale buildup in water heaters, reduced soap effectiveness, and mineral deposits on fixtures and appliances. Periodic descaling of water heaters and use of water softening agents for laundry are commonly recommended. As of January 2026, Tract 349 Mutual Water Company reports all contaminants within safe EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals; residents seeking detailed water quality parameters should contact the utility at 323-560-1601 or consult its most recent Consumer Confidence Report.
Geology & Source: Central Basin aquifer; Quaternary alluvial deposits and Tertiary marine/non-marine sediments — clay, silt, and sand with limited carbonate exposure; moderately mineralized groundwater typical of Southern California
Other California Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cudahy's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Cudahy?
How does Cudahy compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Cudahy 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.