Merced Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
169.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Merced, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Merced | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 10.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -9% |
| Water Heater | 12.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Merced compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Merced, California | 73 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Atwater, California | 33.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Livingston, California | 94 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Chowchilla, California | 107.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Turlock, California | 124 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Merced compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Merced | 73 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Merced's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Merced, California — the gateway to Yosemite National Park in Merced County, in the San Joaquin Valley — draws its municipal water supply through the City of Merced Public Works and Utilities Water Division, sourcing from Merced River diversions (Lake McClure / Exchequer Reservoir, operated by Merced Irrigation District) and local San Joaquin Valley groundwater wells in the Merced alluvial basin. The Merced River originates in Yosemite's high Sierra Nevada. Water hardness in Merced measures 73 mg/L — classified as soft.
Merced's soft supply reflects the Merced River's Sierra Nevada origin and the Central Valley alluvial groundwater blend. The Merced River watershed above Lake McClure drains the Sierra Nevada batholith — Cretaceous granodiorite and tonalite (Cathedral Range, Clark Range, Yosemite Valley walls), ancient metamorphic roof pendants, and the El Portal Quartzite — all essentially calcium-free, hard crystalline rock. Merced River water is inherently very soft from the Sierra Nevada. Local San Joaquin Valley groundwater from the Merced alluvial fan, recharged by Sierra Nevada snowmelt spread across the valley floor, also tends toward softness in the Merced area. The blend produces the moderately soft 73 mg/L finished supply.
With hardness at 73 mg/L, Merced residents enjoy soft water with minimal scale challenges. Soap and shampoo lather well. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits slowly — bi-monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is sufficient. City of Merced Public Works and Utilities consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mixed supply from the Merced River (Sierra Nevada origin) and San Joaquin Valley alluvial groundwater via the City of Merced Public Works and Utilities Water Division — the Merced River Sierra Nevada granitic watershed (Cretaceous granodiorite, El Portal Quartzite, ancient metamorphic roof pendants) and the San Joaquin Valley alluvial aquifer; very soft supply at 73 mg/L in Merced County.