Upland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.8 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
575.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Upland, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Upland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Upland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upland, California | 185 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Ontario, California | 41.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Montclair, California | 38.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Rancho Cucamonga, California | 127.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Claremont, California | 176.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Upland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upland | 185 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Upland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Upland, California, in western San Bernardino County at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Inland Empire — once the lemon capital of the world and home of the distinctive Euclid Avenue tree corridor — draws its municipal water supply through the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD), sourcing from the Cucamonga Basin local groundwater (a naturally recharged alluvial fan aquifer at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Upland–Rancho Cucamonga area) and from Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imported water (SWP and Colorado River Aqueduct). Water hardness in Upland measures 185 mg/L — classified as hard.
Upland's hard supply reflects the Cucamonga Basin's groundwater character and the MWD import blend. The Cucamonga Basin alluvial fan is recharged by runoff from the San Gabriel Mountains — the Cucamonga Peak–Mount Baldy area (Precambrian anorthosite, gneiss, and Cretaceous granodiorite of the Cucamonga Fault Zone). While the mountain source water itself is soft, the alluvial fan sediment of the Cucamonga Basin includes significant calcareous cement from the San Bernardino Mountains Paleozoic carbonate reworked into the alluvial fan. The MWD imported water (Colorado River aqueduct blend — moderately hard) adds further dissolved calcium. The combination produces the 185 mg/L hard supply in Upland's distribution zone.
At 185 mg/L, Upland residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. Cucamonga Valley Water District consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mixed supply from Cucamonga Valley Water District — Cucamonga Basin local groundwater (alluvial fan from San Gabriel Mountains granodiorite and Precambrian Cucamonga Fault Zone), State Water Project (SWP) imports, and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Colorado River Aqueduct blending; hard supply at 185 mg/L in western San Bernardino County (Inland Empire).