North Highlands Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.1 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
209.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.23
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 North Highlands, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Highlands | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -21% |
| Washing Machine | 10.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Highlands compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Highlands, California | 86.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Foothill Farms, California | 121.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Antelope, California | 128 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Rio Linda, California | 69 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Carmichael, California | 122.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How North Highlands compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Highlands | 86.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Highlands's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Highlands, California, an unincorporated community in Sacramento County north of Sacramento — a Sacramento north suburban community historically associated with McClellan Air Force Base (McClellan AFB, now McClellan Business Park — a major Sacramento County economic redevelopment zone), a diverse Sacramento County community with significant African-American, Filipino-American, and Latino-American populations, and a major Sacramento north corridor residential community — draws its municipal water supply from the Sacramento Valley groundwater basin and Sacramento River regional supply via the Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA). Water hardness in North Highlands measures 86.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
North Highlands' moderate softness reflects the north Sacramento County alluvial basin characteristics and SCWA treatment. The Sacramento Valley alluvial aquifer at North Highlands draws from Quaternary alluvial deposits (Sacramento Valley floor and foothill fan deposits from the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range — the Sacramento Valley alluvial aquifer is relatively low in dissolved minerals compared to deeper carbonate aquifers). The SCWA treatment reduces additional hardness, and North Highlands' distribution infrastructure (primarily mid-20th century suburban buildout era mains) produces the moderate 86.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 86.5 mg/L, North Highlands residents enjoy moderately soft water. Sacramento County Water Agency consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the North American Sub-basin (Sacramento Valley Groundwater Basin) and Sacramento River via Sacramento Regional supply via the Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) — the Sacramento County north Sacramento Valley corridor (Quaternary alluvial fan deposits from the Sierra Nevada foothill drainage and Sacramento Valley floor); moderately soft supply at 86.5 mg/L in Sacramento County.