King City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
447.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
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 King City, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In King City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -47% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How King City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ King City, California | 153.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Greenfield, California | 71 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Soledad, California | 170.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Hollister, California | 118.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Salinas, California | 134 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How King City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ King City | 153.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes King City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
King City, California, in Monterey County — the southern Salinas Valley city adjacent to Greenfield and Soledad in Monterey County central California — receives its water from the Salinas Valley Water District, drawing from the Salinas River alluvial aquifer (Monterey County) through the central California distribution.
The moderately hard 153.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 447.3 mg/L (TDS significantly elevated relative to hardness — reflecting the Salinas Valley alluvial aquifer's evaporitic sulfate and sodium from the Coast Range Franciscan Complex dissolution and agricultural return flows) reflect the central California Monterey County supply's moderate calcareous character. The Salinas Valley alluvial aquifer at Monterey County — Quaternary Salinas alluvial fan deposits (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Tertiary Monterey Formation (siliceous — slightly calcareous), and Cretaceous Franciscan Complex (slightly calcareous from serpentinite dissolution — TDS contributor).
At 153.5 mg/L with elevated TDS 447, King City's water is moderately hard with elevated dissolved solids. A water softener is recommended and a reverse osmosis system for drinking water is advisable. The PFAS level of 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Hunter Liggett (Monterey County — AFFF) and the Salinas Valley agricultural-industrial corridor contribute to King City's readings.
Geology & Source: King City in Monterey County draws from the Salinas Valley Water District on the Salinas River alluvial aquifer (Monterey County, central California) — the Salinas alluvial aquifer is developed in Quaternary alluvial fan deposits (calcareous-evaporitic) and Coast Range dissolution — California Monterey County Salinas Valley alluvial calcareous-evaporitic aquifer produces moderately hard water at 153.5 mg/L with TDS 447.3 mg/L.