Richmond Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
112.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.14
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 Richmond, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Richmond | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -7% |
| Washing Machine | 11.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -3% |
| Water Heater | 13.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -10% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Richmond compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richmond, California | 51.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| San Pablo, California | 46 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| El Cerrito, California | 182.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| El Sobrante, California | 35 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Albany, California | 47 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Richmond compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richmond | 51.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Richmond's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Richmond, California, in the north corner of Contra Costa County on the San Pablo Bay shore, draws its municipal water supply from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), sourcing from the Mokelumne River via Pardee Reservoir and the Mokelumne Aqueduct (treated at the Freeport Water Treatment Plant in Sacramento County), and local East Bay watershed reservoirs — including the San Pablo Reservoir in northern Contra Costa County. Richmond's distribution zone is served through EBMUD's northern Contra Costa County network. Water hardness in Richmond measures 51.5 mg/L — classified as soft.
Richmond's soft supply reflects the dominance of Mokelumne River Sierra Nevada source water in the EBMUD system for the north county distribution zone. The Mokelumne River drains the Sierra Nevada batholith (Cretaceous granodiorite) and associated Paleozoic metamorphic belt in Amador and Calaveras Counties — one of the softest river source water systems in California. The local San Pablo Reservoir watershed in the Richmond Hills drains terrain underlain by the Jurassic–Cretaceous Franciscan Complex (chert, greywacke, serpentinite) — also calcium-poor oceanic terrane. The combination of the Mokelumne Sierra source and local Franciscan watershed produces consistently soft supply in the Richmond north county zone.
With hardness at 51.5 mg/L, Richmond residents enjoy very soft water with minimal scale challenges. Faucet aerators and showerheads rarely need descaling. Soap and shampoo lather well. Dishwashers produce clean glassware. EBMUD consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mixed supply from the Mokelumne River (Sierra Nevada) via the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Wildcat Creek local watershed — Mokelumne River Sierra Nevada granodiorite snowmelt produces soft base water; the Richmond–El Cerrito Hills Franciscan Complex greywacke and serpentinite Coast Range local watershed adds moderate minerals; finished supply at 51.5 mg/L in the north Contra Costa zone.