Davis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
246.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Davis, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Davis | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -7% |
| Water Heater | 13 yrs | 15 yrs | -13% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Davis compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Davis, California | 66 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dixon, California | 215 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Woodland, California | 56 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| West Sacramento, California | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Sacramento, California | 138 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Davis compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Davis | 66 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Davis's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Davis Water Utility serves approximately 70,000 residents in Davis, Yolo County, California, including the UC Davis campus and surrounding areas. Primary supply is treated surface water from the Sacramento River via the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency's Regional Water Treatment Facility, with a maximum allotment of 10.2 million gallons per day delivered through six distribution turn-outs. Supplemental groundwater is pumped from deep wells (800–1,400 feet) during peak summer demand. Surface water treatment includes flash mixing, sand ballasted clarification, ozonation, granular media filtration, and chlorine disinfection with ortho-phosphate addition; groundwater receives only chlorination.
The Sacramento River watershed spans the northern Sierra Nevada to the Central Valley, with raw water influenced by volcanic and granitic bedrock upstream. In the Davis area, groundwater taps the Sacramento Valley Groundwater Basin's deep alluvial aquifer, comprising Quaternary-age sands and gravels deposited by river meandering. These sediments interact with underlying Tertiary marine deposits containing gypsum and limestone, imparting a mineralized character to groundwater. Surface water remains softer due to dilution and treatment, blending to create a moderately soft overall profile that fluctuates seasonally.
At this moderately soft level, scale buildup is minimal, with rare soap scum on fixtures or spotting on glassware. Water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers experience little mineral accumulation, extending their lifespan without frequent maintenance. Faucet aerators and showerheads rarely clog, though occasional vinegar descaling prevents minor deposits. A whole-home water softener is not recommended, as it could over-soften the supply and introduce sodium unnecessarily. Water meets EPA standards, though Chromium-6 was detected above California's notification level as of 10/1/2024, with mitigation underway by 10/1/2026; nitrates from agricultural runoff are also noted. pH is stable post-treatment; total dissolved solids average 120–145 ppm.
Geology & Source: Sacramento Valley alluvial aquifer — Pleistocene and Holocene sands, gravels, and silts overlying Tertiary marine gypsum and limestone; deep wells (800–1,400 ft) and Sierra Nevada granite surface water blend to moderately soft supply
Other California Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davis's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Davis?
How does Davis compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Davis 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.