Madera Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.9 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
152.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Madera, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Madera | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Madera compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Madera, California | 67 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Kerman, California | 136 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Chowchilla, California | 107.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Fresno, California | 31 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Clovis, California | 36.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Madera compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Madera | 67 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Madera's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Madera, California, the Madera County seat in the central San Joaquin Valley — a major agriculture and food-processing hub in the heart of California's Central Valley — draws its municipal water supply from Kings River (Madera Irrigation District canal diversions), San Joaquin River, and local San Joaquin Valley groundwater wells via the City of Madera Public Works Water Division, treating Central Valley surface water and accessing the Kings River alluvial fan aquifer in Madera County. Water hardness in Madera measures 67 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Madera's moderately soft supply reflects the Kings River–San Joaquin watershed's Sierra Nevada origin at Madera County. The Kings River at Madera drains the southern Sierra Nevada (Kings Canyon granite and granodiorite — Sequoia–Kings Canyon National Park terrain, the Sierra Nevada crest geology) — one of the most calcareous-poor granitic watersheds in California. The Kings River high-elevation granite watershed (Pineridge, Dinkey Creek, and upper Kings River) contributes very soft drainage. The local Madera County alluvial fan groundwater from the Kings River fan has some calcareous component from valley soils, but the soft Kings River surface water dominance maintains the moderate 67 mg/L supply.
With hardness at 67 mg/L, Madera residents enjoy moderately soft water with minimal scale challenges. City of Madera Public Works consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mixed supply from San Joaquin River surface water and the Kings River alluvial fan (Madera Canal) diversion via the City of Madera Public Works Water Division — the Sierra Nevada–San Joaquin Valley alluvial fan and the San Joaquin Valley Quaternary alluvial basin of Madera County; moderately soft supply at 67 mg/L in Madera County.