Imperial Beach Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.4 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
127.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 Imperial Beach, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Imperial Beach | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Imperial Beach compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Imperial Beach, California | 58.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Chula Vista, California | 126.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| National City, California | 164.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Bonita, California | 177 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Coronado, California | 138 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Imperial Beach compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Imperial Beach | 58.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Imperial Beach's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Imperial Beach, California, in San Diego County — a major south San Diego Bay Area community (Imperial Beach is a significant San Diego County city — the southernmost city in California, located on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border; Imperial Beach is known for its surfing (the US Open of Surfing was held at Imperial Beach for many years, and Imperial Beach is considered one of the classic Southern California surf breaks); Imperial Beach has undergone significant revitalization in recent decades, transforming from a somewhat neglected beach community into a more vibrant small city; the Tijuana River Estuary (one of the most significant coastal wetland preserves in Southern California — a major migratory bird habitat) is adjacent to Imperial Beach, though it has suffered from cross-border sewage pollution), a diverse San Diego County community with a primarily Latino-American, military, and working-class beach community population, adjacent to the Tijuana border in the south San Diego County coastal corridor — draws its municipal water supply via the Sweetwater Authority. Water hardness in Imperial Beach measures 58.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Imperial Beach's moderate softness reflects the south San Diego County coastal supply with effective treatment. The Sweetwater Authority distributes Colorado River and imported supply to the south San Diego County Imperial Beach zone with effective treatment, producing the moderately soft 58.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 58.5 mg/L, Imperial Beach residents enjoy moderately soft water. Sweetwater Authority consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Colorado River (SDCWA blend) via the Sweetwater Authority — the San Diego County south Bay Area Imperial Beach corridor (Cretaceous calcareous-poor Otay Formation — the calcareous-poor south San Diego County coastal supply; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 58.5 mg/L in San Diego County.