Oroville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
126.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.15
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 Oroville, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oroville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 13.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Oroville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oroville, California | 57 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Paradise, California | 136 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Chico, California | 80.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Yuba City, California | 75.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Linda, California | 36 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Oroville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oroville | 57 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Oroville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oroville, California, in Butte County — a Butte County city adjacent to Thermalito and South Oroville on the Feather River below Lake Oroville Dam in the north Sacramento Valley — receives its municipal water from the City of Oroville Water, drawing from the Feather River (Oroville Dam tailrace, Butte County) and Lake Oroville through the Oroville treatment plant.
The moderately soft 57 mg/L hardness and TDS of 126.1 mg/L reflect the north Sacramento Valley Feather River supply's moderately insoluble Sierra Nevada character. Lake Oroville (the largest reservoir in California's State Water Project) impounds the North Fork Feather River, which drains the Sierra Nevada — Cretaceous granodiorite and tonalite (insoluble), the Feather River Metamorphic Belt (argillite and schist — insoluble), and Paleozoic metasedimentary zones. The predominantly insoluble Sierra Nevada granitic and metamorphic watershed contributes modest mineral hardness.
At 57 mg/L, Oroville's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.6 ppt is low — the Butte County north Sacramento Valley agricultural and timber corridor has limited AFFF military sources near Oroville, and the Sierra Nevada Feather River headwaters are relatively pristine.
Geology & Source: Oroville in Butte County draws from the City of Oroville Water on the Feather River and Lake Oroville (Butte County, north Sacramento Valley) — Lake Oroville drains the Sierra Nevada (Cretaceous granodiorite, Metamorphic Belt argillite — mostly insoluble) — California Butte County Feather River Sierra Nevada granitic watershed produces moderately soft water at 57 mg/L with TDS 126.1 mg/L in this Butte County California city.