How does Susanville's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Susanville (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Susanville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

499.8 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Susanville, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Susanville	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Susanville compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Susanville, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Magalia, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Paradise, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Truckee, California	≈ 0–60 mg/L	21.9 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Sun Valley, Nevada	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Susanville compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Susanville	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Susanville's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 499.8 mg/LpH: 8.2

Susanville, California, gets its drinking water primarily from groundwater sources. While the City of Susanville Water Division is responsible for providing this essential service, specific details about treatment plants, reservoirs, or the exact names of the aquifers used are not readily available from public records. Lassen County Environmental Health plays a role in protecting the quality of these groundwater supplies, ensuring they remain safe for residents.

The water originates in a watershed that spans the Cascade-Sierra Nevada transition. This region is characterized by volcanic activity, including Pliocene Warner Basalt and Pleistocene Lassen volcanic rocks. These geological formations, described as slightly calcareous, mean the water picks up minerals as it flows through them, contributing to its hardness and overall dissolved solids content.

Without specific hardness data, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact impact on home appliances and plumbing in Susanville. However, water originating from volcanic and calcareous geology often leads to scale buildup over time, potentially affecting the efficiency of water heaters and dishwashers. Homeowners may notice a difference in how soap lathers. Regular maintenance, such as descaling, can help mitigate these effects.

Geology & Source: Susan River watershed volcanic-calcareous; Warner Basalt and Lassen volcanic rocks produce hard water

Other California Water Reports

Magalia

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Paradise

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Truckee

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Sun Valley

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Susanville's water safe to drink?

Yes. Susanville's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Susanville?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Susanville's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Susanville compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Susanville (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Susanville is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.