Foothill Ranch Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.4 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
343.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 Foothill Ranch, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Foothill Ranch | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -36% |
| Washing Machine | 8.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -26% |
| Water Heater | 10.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -30% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Foothill Ranch compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Foothill Ranch, California | 127.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Lake Forest, California | 76.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, California | 136 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Stonegate, California | 145.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Mission Viejo, California | 173 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Foothill Ranch compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Foothill Ranch | 127.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Foothill Ranch's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Foothill Ranch, California, in Orange County — an Orange County unincorporated community adjacent to Lake Forest and Trabuco Canyon in the Saddleback Valley foothills — receives its water from the El Toro Water District or Santa Margarita Water District, drawing from Irvine Lake and Metropolitan Water District imports through the south California distribution.
The moderately hard 127.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 343.2 mg/L reflect the Orange County import supply's moderate calcareous character — the MWD Colorado River import carries dissolved minerals from arid Southwest formations, while the Santa Ana watershed local component drains Cretaceous and Tertiary slightly calcareous formations (compare Lake Forest CA: 125/338 in Orange County comparable; Trabuco Canyon CA: 130/348 in Orange County comparable; Foothill Ranch consistent moderate from the same Orange County MWD-Santa Ana blended calcareous supply). The Santa Ana watershed — Cretaceous Bedford Canyon Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Tertiary Sespe Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Santa Ana alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 127.5 mg/L with TDS 343, Foothill Ranch's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup in appliances. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.6 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is recommended. Review El Toro Water District's annual water quality report for the latest monitoring data.
Geology & Source: Foothill Ranch in Orange County draws from the El Toro Water District on Irvine Lake (Orange County, south California) — the Santa Ana watershed drains Cretaceous Bedford Canyon Formation (slightly calcareous) and Tertiary Sespe Formation (slightly calcareous) — California Orange County Irvine Lake Santa Ana calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 127.5 mg/L with TDS 343.2 mg/L.