Moraga Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
135.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 Moraga, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Moraga | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -11% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -12% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Moraga compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Moraga, California | 60.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Lafayette, California | 53 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Orinda, California | 51 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Walnut Creek, California | 147 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Alamo, California | 43.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Moraga compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Moraga | 60.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Moraga's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Moraga, California, in Contra Costa County — a Contra Costa County town adjacent to Orinda and Lafayette in the east Bay Hills — receives its municipal water from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), drawing from the Mokelumne River aqueduct (originating at Pardee Reservoir and Camanche Reservoir, Amador County, Sierra Nevada foothills) through the EBMUD distribution system.
The soft 60.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 135.8 mg/L reflect the EBMUD Mokelumne River supply's Sierra Nevada crystalline character. The Mokelumne River drains the Sierra Nevada — Cretaceous Sierra Nevada Batholith granodiorite (insoluble crystalline — produces inherently very soft snowmelt water), and the Calaveras and Amador county Gold Country foothills (minor calcareous foothill contribution). The predominantly insoluble Sierra Nevada batholith produces the soft EBMUD supply.
At 60.5 mg/L, Moraga's water is soft — essentially no scale forms, soap lathers abundantly, and appliances maintain good efficiency. Annual descaling is sufficient. The PFAS level of 3.8 ppt is relatively low — the Contra Costa County east Bay Hills residential setting, the remote Sierra Nevada Mokelumne River headwaters, and limited industrial PFAS point sources in the EBMUD watershed contribute to Moraga's low readings.
Geology & Source: Moraga in Contra Costa County draws from EBMUD on the Mokelumne River (Amador County, Sierra Nevada) — the Mokelumne drains the Sierra Nevada (Cretaceous granodiorite — insoluble crystalline) via Camanche Reservoir — California Contra Costa County EBMUD Mokelumne Sierra Nevada watershed produces soft water at 60.5 mg/L with TDS 135.8 mg/L in this Contra Costa County California city.