Stonegate Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
411.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Stonegate, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Stonegate | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Stonegate compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Stonegate, California | 145.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Northwood, California | 146 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| El Camino Real, California | 145.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Woodbridge, California | 145 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Westpark, California | 145 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Stonegate compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Stonegate | 145.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Stonegate's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Stonegate, California, in Orange County — an unincorporated Orange County community adjacent to Irvine and Lake Forest, in the east Irvine-Lake Forest corridor of the south Orange County foothills — receives its municipal water from the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), drawing from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) through the Diemer Filtration Plant (MWD South Orange County treatment facility).
The moderately hard 145.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 411.1 mg/L reflect the MWD Southern California blend at the Diemer-IRWD supply zone. The MWD blends Colorado River water (delivered via the Colorado River Aqueduct) with State Water Project (California Aqueduct) Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water. The Colorado River component (hard, elevated-TDS from the Colorado Plateau evaporite drainage) and the State Water Project component (softer, lower-TDS from the Sierra Nevada-Central Valley) blend to produce the moderately hard, elevated-TDS supply typical of south Orange County communities.
At 145.5 mg/L, Stonegate's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (Irvine-Lake Forest — legacy AFFF site, extensive PFAS groundwater contamination plume in the Irvine area), the MWD Colorado River PFAS background, and the Orange County PFAS industrial corridor contribute to Stonegate's readings.
Geology & Source: Stonegate in Orange County draws from the Irvine Ranch Water District on the Metropolitan Water District Diemer Filtration Plant (Colorado River Aqueduct blended with State Water Project Sacramento Delta) — the MWD blend combines Colorado Plateau evaporite-carbonate hardness with Sierra Nevada-Central Valley softer water — Southern California MWD blend produces moderately hard water at 145.5 mg/L with elevated TDS 411 mg/L in this Orange County California community.