McFarland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
614.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.51
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 McFarland, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In McFarland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -62% |
| Washing Machine | 6.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -46% |
| Water Heater | 7.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How McFarland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ McFarland, California | 193 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Delano, California | 151 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Wasco, California | 79.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Shafter, California | 34 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Rosedale, California | 145.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How McFarland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ McFarland | 193 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes McFarland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
McFarland, California, in Kern County — a Kern County city adjacent to Delano and Shafter in the south San Joaquin Valley — receives its water from the McFarland Water Department, drawing from the State Water Project and local San Joaquin Valley groundwater (Kern County) through the south San Joaquin Valley distribution.
The very hard 193 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 614.6 mg/L (TDS very elevated relative to hardness — reflecting the San Joaquin Valley alluvial aquifer's evaporitic sulfate, sodium, and boron from the evaporitic western San Joaquin Valley Coast Range formations) are harder than the adjacent Rosedale (145.5 mg/L) — reflecting McFarland's deeper, more mineralized alluvial groundwater draw in the intensive agriculture area with higher evaporitic mineral concentration. The McFarland-Kern County supply — State Water Project Sierra Nevada (very soft — dilutant), Quaternary San Joaquin Valley alluvial fan (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Tertiary evaporitic Coast Range derived salts (primary elevated TDS contributor).
At 193 mg/L with TDS 614, McFarland's water is very hard with very high dissolved solids. A water softener is strongly recommended and a reverse osmosis system is essential for drinking water. The PFAS level of 7.5 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Edwards Air Force Base (Kern County — AFFF) and the Kern County agricultural-industrial corridor contribute to McFarland's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: McFarland in Kern County draws from the McFarland Water Department on State Water Project and local groundwater (Kern County, south-central California San Joaquin Valley) — the SWP supply and San Joaquin Valley alluvial aquifer provide blended supply — California Kern County San Joaquin Valley SWP-alluvial evaporitic-calcareous blend produces very hard water at 193 mg/L with TDS 614.6 mg/L.