Marina Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.2 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
335.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Marina, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Marina | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 12.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -17% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Marina compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marina, California | 124 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Seaside, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Monterey, California | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Pacific Grove, California | 164 mg/L | 111.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Salinas, California | 254 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Marina compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marina | 124 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Marina's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Marina, California is served by the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD), a public water utility headquartered at 920 2nd Avenue, Suite B, Marina, CA 93933. The District supplies groundwater to the Marina area in Monterey County, drawing from local aquifers. The utility monitors compliance with over 200 drinking water constituents, conducting regular testing for minerals, inorganic chemicals, organic compounds, and radioactivity. Customers can reach the District at (831) 384-6131 or visit mcwd.org.
The Marina water supply originates from groundwater sources in Monterey County's coastal aquifer system. Natural mineral content — particularly calcium and magnesium dissolved from surrounding sedimentary and granitic formations — contributes to the variable water hardness observed across the service area. The geology features a mix of limestone, chalk, and mineral-bearing rock that influences mineral composition as water percolates through the aquifer.
Water hardness in Marina varies from soft to hard depending on the specific source and location within the service area. At the harder end, scale buildup on fixtures and reduced appliance efficiency may occur; customers experiencing these issues may benefit from water softening. At the softer end, minimal treatment is needed. All tested contaminants currently meet EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs), and the water is considered safe for drinking. The District encourages customers to review their annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed compliance and hardness information.
Geology & Source: Monterey County coastal aquifer system; sedimentary and granitic bedrock with calcium and magnesium-bearing minerals; natural dissolution produces variable hardness across the service area
Other California Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marina's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Marina?
How does Marina compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Marina is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.