Orangevale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.6 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
95.5 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 Orangevale, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Orangevale | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -5% |
| Washing Machine | 11.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -1% |
| Water Heater | 13.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -8% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Orangevale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Orangevale, California | 45 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Folsom, California | 115.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Fair Oaks, California | 125.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Citrus Heights, California | 163.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Roseville, California | 145 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Orangevale compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Orangevale | 45 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Orangevale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Orangevale, California, an unincorporated community in northeastern Sacramento County — a major northeast Sacramento County community (Orangevale is a significant unincorporated Sacramento County community in the northeast Sacramento suburban corridor adjacent to Folsom and Fair Oaks — a primarily residential community at the foot of the Sierra Nevada foothills), adjacent to Folsom Lake (a major Sacramento area reservoir and recreation area on the American River), a diverse Sacramento County community with a significant working-class and young professional population, and part of the rapidly growing northeast Sacramento County corridor — draws its municipal water supply from the American River (Folsom Lake) via the Sacramento County Water Agency or San Juan Water District. Water hardness in Orangevale measures 45 mg/L — classified as very soft.
Orangevale's very soft supply reflects the American River Sierra Nevada watershed's calcareous-poor granite geology. The American River (Folsom Lake) at Orangevale–northeast Sacramento County draws from: the Sierra Nevada Cretaceous granite and metamorphic terrain (calcareous-poor — the highly resistant Sierra Nevada batholith with virtually no dissolved calcium carbonate); and the Eocene calcareous-poor gold-bearing Tertiary Channels (the northeast Sacramento County foothills geology). Sacramento County WA treatment produces the very soft 45 mg/L.
With hardness at 45 mg/L, Orangevale residents enjoy very soft water. Sacramento County Water Agency consistently delivers water meeting all California State Water Board and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mountain reservoir supply from the American River (Folsom Lake) via the Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) or San Juan Water District — the Sacramento County northeast suburban Sacramento American River corridor (Sierra Nevada calcareous-poor Cretaceous granite watershed — the American River Sierra Nevada supply; Sacramento County northeast distribution to Orangevale zone); very soft supply at 45 mg/L in Sacramento County.