How does El Segundo's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. El Segundo (38 mg/L) is 113 mg/L softer than average.

El Segundo Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

38mg/L

Soft

2.2 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

77.8 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.10

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

38mg/L as CaCO₃Soft

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 El Segundo, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In El Segundo	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.1 yrs	8.5 yrs	-5%
Washing Machine	11.4 yrs	12 yrs	-5%
Water Heater	14.3 yrs	15 yrs	-5%

Regional Water Comparison

How El Segundo compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ El Segundo, California	38 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Manhattan Beach, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Del Aire, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Hermosa Beach, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Hawthorne, California	270 mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How El Segundo compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ El Segundo	38 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes El Segundo's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 77.8 mg/LpH: 7.2

El Segundo Water Department, located at 350 Main Street, El Segundo, CA 90245 (phone: 310-524-2300), serves approximately 17,192 residents in El Segundo, Los Angeles County. The utility purchases treated surface water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), sourced from the Colorado River via the Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta reservoirs feeding the California Aqueduct. No local treatment plants are operated; water is distributed directly after purchase. Water quality reports are available via the city's service directory, with contact at jturner@elsegundo.org.

The supply traces to the Colorado River Watershed, encompassing high-elevation snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains flowing through diverse terrains including the Grand Canyon's Vishnu Schist and Zoroaster Granite (Precambrian) and Wingate Sandstone (Triassic-Jurassic). Further downstream, the water interacts with Cretaceous Mancos Shale and Paleogene evaporites in Utah and Arizona basins. In Southern California, aqueduct conveyance through alluvial fans and fractured bedrock of the San Gabriel Mountains adds further mineral content. This geology — rich in limestones, dolomites, and gypsum formations — yields a hard supply through prolonged rock-water interaction.

Scale buildup from hard water becomes noticeable on fixtures, reducing efficiency in dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, while leaving spots on glassware and films on skin. Coffee makers and kettles require frequent descaling. A water softener is recommended to extend appliance life and improve soap efficiency; regular vinegar rinses for showerheads and faucets help manage deposits. El Segundo's tap water meets federal legal limits but has 2 contaminants exceeding EPA health-based guidelines (MCLGs), prompting filter recommendations for vulnerable groups. PFAS presence is not detailed in available sources. Treatment is performed upstream by MWD, including filtration, disinfection (chloramine), and corrosion control.

Geology & Source: Colorado River watershed to Southern California via Colorado River Aqueduct and State Water Project; Precambrian granites, Mesozoic Mancos Shale, and Mojave Desert limestone and evaporites; prolonged transit through carbonates produces hard supply

Other California Water Reports

Manhattan Beach

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Del Aire

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hermosa Beach

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hawthorne

270 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Segundo's water safe to drink?

Yes. El Segundo's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 38 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in El Segundo?

El Segundo's water is soft at 38 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does El Segundo compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. El Segundo (38 mg/L) is 113 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for El Segundo is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.