Montebello Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
90.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.12
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 Montebello, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Montebello | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -4% |
| Washing Machine | 12 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 13.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -7% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Montebello compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Montebello, California | 43.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Pico Rivera, California | 71 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| West Whittier-Los Nietos, California | 171 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Commerce, California | 90 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Monterey Park, California | 49 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Montebello compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Montebello | 43.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Montebello's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Montebello, California, in east Los Angeles County at the San Gabriel Valley–Los Angeles Basin junction — a primarily residential city adjacent to East Los Angeles — draws its municipal water supply from the Central Basin Groundwater Basin and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imported water via the City of Montebello Water Division, accessing the Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBMWD) groundwater and MWD distribution serving the southeast Los Angeles County communities. Water hardness in Montebello measures 43.5 mg/L — classified as very soft, among the softest in Los Angeles County.
Montebello's very soft supply reflects the Central Basin's exceptional management at the Whittier Narrows zone where Montebello sits. The Whittier Narrows is a critical choke point between the San Gabriel Valley and the Los Angeles Coastal Plain — the Whittier Narrows Water Conservation Dam (operated by the Army Corps of Engineers for groundwater recharge) spreads San Gabriel River and MWD imported water directly into the Central Basin spreading grounds in Montebello's immediate vicinity. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority and the Central Basin Water District conduct intensive recharge of the Montebello zone with soft MWD State Water Project imports (SWP hardness 20–50 mg/L). The combination of proximity to the Whittier Narrows spreading operations and the dominant SWP soft water recharge produces the extraordinary 43.5 mg/L at Montebello.
With hardness at 43.5 mg/L, Montebello residents enjoy very soft water with essentially no scale challenges. City of Montebello Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Central Basin (Los Angeles Coastal Plain) Groundwater Basin and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imports via the City of Montebello Water Division — the Los Angeles Coastal Plain Quaternary alluvial basin east of downtown Los Angeles; very soft supply at 43.5 mg/L — among the softest in Los Angeles County — reflecting the Central Basin's extensive MWD soft water recharge in the Montebello–Whittier Narrows zone.