Pico Rivera Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
162.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Pico Rivera, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pico Rivera | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pico Rivera compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pico Rivera, California | 71 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Montebello, California | 43.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| West Whittier-Los Nietos, California | 171 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Santa Fe Springs, California | 91 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Downey, California | 75.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Pico Rivera compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pico Rivera | 71 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pico Rivera's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pico Rivera, California, in southeast Los Angeles County at the confluence of the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers — a predominantly Latino working-class community in the San Gabriel Valley–Whittier area — draws its municipal water supply from the Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBMWD) groundwater and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imported water via the Rio Hondo Water Authority and the City of Pico Rivera Public Works Water Division, accessing the Central Basin Groundwater Basin of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain. Water hardness in Pico Rivera measures 71 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Pico Rivera's moderately soft supply for a Los Angeles Coastal Plain community reflects the Central Basin's managed water quality. The Central Basin — bounded by the Whittier Narrows and the Los Angeles–San Gabriel River confluence — is managed by the Central Basin Municipal Water District and actively recharged by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority and MWD spreading operations using soft MWD imported water (Colorado River Aqueduct and State Water Project blend). The spreading operations in the Whittier Narrows Spreading Grounds and San Gabriel River channel maintain the Central Basin at moderate softness levels. The 71 mg/L reflects the successful managed recharge of the basin with soft MWD imports.
With hardness at 71 mg/L, Pico Rivera residents enjoy moderately soft water with minimal scale challenges. City of Pico Rivera Public Works and Central Basin Municipal Water District consistently deliver 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) import blending via the Rio Hondo Water Authority and City of Pico Rivera Public Works Water Division — the Los Angeles Coastal Plain Quaternary alluvial basin; moderately soft supply at 71 mg/L — reflecting the OCWD-equivalent Central Basin's advanced water management and MWD import softening.