South San Jose Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.4 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
128.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 South San Jose Hills, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In South San Jose Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How South San Jose Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ South San Jose Hills, California | 58.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Rowland Heights, California | 165 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Walnut, California | 151.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| La Puente, California | 48 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Valinda, California | 46.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How South San Jose Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ South San Jose Hills | 58.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes South San Jose Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
South San Jose Hills, California, in Los Angeles County — an unincorporated Los Angeles County community in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, adjacent to West Covina and Diamond Bar in the eastern SGV corridor — receives its municipal water from the California Water Service (Cal Water) or the Rowland Water District, which draws from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) import through the eastern San Gabriel Valley distribution network, blending State Water Project (SWP) and Colorado River Aqueduct (CRA) supplies.
The very soft 58.5 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 128.2 mg/L are very soft for the San Gabriel Valley — reflecting a predominantly State Water Project-dominant blend ratio in this distribution zone, with minimal local San Gabriel Basin groundwater contribution. The MWD SWP supply (Sierra Nevada snowmelt — very soft, 30-70 mg/L) dilutes the harder CRA Colorado River supply (200-350 mg/L) in the eastern SGV distribution system. The absence of significant San Gabriel Basin groundwater pumping in this specific service area produces the remarkably soft 58.5 mg/L outcome — much softer than the adjacent San Gabriel Basin communities with significant local groundwater production.
At 58.5 mg/L, South San Jose Hills's water is very soft — excellent for household use. Scale forms very slowly, soap lathers richly, and appliances maintain peak efficiency. Annual descaling is more than sufficient. The PFAS level of 3.6 ppt is relatively low for the San Gabriel Valley — reflecting the predominantly MWD import supply character and the eastern SGV corridor's somewhat lower industrial legacy compared to the San Gabriel Valley Superfund zone communities farther west.
Geology & Source: South San Jose Hills in Los Angeles County draws from the California Water Service (Cal Water) or Rowland Water District on MWD import (State Water Project and Colorado River blend) — MWD delivers blended SWP and CRA water through the San Gabriel Valley east distribution network — blended SWP and Colorado River Aqueduct import produces very soft water at 58.5 mg/L with low TDS 128 mg/L in this east San Gabriel Valley community.