Salida Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.9 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
373.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 Salida, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Salida | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -39% |
| Washing Machine | 8.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -32% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Salida compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Salida, California | 134.5 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Ripon, California | 73 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Modesto, California | 177.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Riverbank, California | 79.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Manteca, California | 103.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Salida compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Salida | 134.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Salida's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Salida, California, in Stanislaus County — an unincorporated Stanislaus County community adjacent to Modesto and Salida in the central California San Joaquin Valley — receives its water from the Salida Community Services District, drawing from the Modesto Irrigation District supply or Tuolumne River (Stanislaus County) through the central California distribution.
The moderately hard 134.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 373.2 mg/L (TDS elevated relative to hardness — reflecting the San Joaquin Valley alluvial supply's dissolved sulfate and sodium from agricultural return flows and Cretaceous Coast Range dissolution) reflect the central California Stanislaus County supply's moderate calcareous character — typical of the Modesto area Stanislaus County communities. The Stanislaus County supply — Tuolumne River Sierra Nevada granite (insoluble — dilutant), Quaternary San Joaquin Valley alluvial fan deposits (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Cretaceous Great Valley Sequence (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 134.5 mg/L, Salida's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Castle Air Force Base (Merced County — former AFFF, nearby) and the central California Stanislaus County San Joaquin Valley corridor contribute to Salida's readings.
Geology & Source: Salida in Stanislaus County draws from the Salida Community Services District on the Modesto Irrigation District supply or Tuolumne River (Stanislaus County, central California San Joaquin Valley) — the Tuolumne at Stanislaus County drains the Sierra Nevada granite (insoluble — dilutant) with Quaternary San Joaquin Valley alluvial dissolution — California Stanislaus County Tuolumne-SJV alluvial blend produces moderately hard water at 134.5 mg/L with TDS 373.2 mg/L.