El Sobrante Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
72.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.09
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 El Sobrante, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In El Sobrante | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -1% |
| Washing Machine | 12.3 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -5% |
Regional Water Comparison
How El Sobrante compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ El Sobrante, California | 35 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Pinole, California | 110 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Hercules, California | 50.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| San Pablo, California | 46 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| El Cerrito, California | 182.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How El Sobrante compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ El Sobrante | 35 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes El Sobrante's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
El Sobrante, California, in Contra Costa County — a Contra Costa County unincorporated community adjacent to Richmond and San Pablo in the east San Francisco Bay — receives its water from the EBMUD, drawing from the Mokelumne River or Pardee Reservoir (Contra Costa County) through the east San Francisco Bay distribution.
The very soft 35 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 72.1 mg/L reflect the east San Francisco Bay Contra Costa County EBMUD Mokelumne supply's very soft character — the Sierra Nevada Mesozoic granodiorite produces very soft water with minimal calcareous contact, typical of EBMUD communities (compare Shadow Hills CA: 33.5/67.4; El Sobrante comparable softness on the same EBMUD supply; slightly harder than San Anselmo CA from the local calcareous alluvium contact). The Mokelumne watershed at Contra Costa County — Mesozoic Sierra Nevada granodiorite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Quaternary volcanic alluvium (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary Central Valley alluvium (slightly calcareous — trace hardness).
At 35 mg/L, El Sobrante's water is very soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.0 ppt is low — warrants routine monitoring but no urgent filtration.
Geology & Source: El Sobrante in Contra Costa County draws from the EBMUD on Mokelumne River or Pardee Reservoir (Contra Costa County, east San Francisco Bay, California) — the Mokelumne watershed at Pardee drains Sierra Nevada (Mesozoic granodiorite — insoluble) and Quaternary volcanic alluvium (insoluble) — California Contra Costa County EBMUD Mokelumne Sierra Nevada Mesozoic insoluble supply produces very soft water at 35 mg/L with TDS 72.1 mg/L.