How does Yuba City's water compare to the national average?

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

Yuba City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

177.2 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 Yuba City, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Yuba City	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 Yuba City compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Yuba City, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Marysville, California	247 mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
South Yuba City, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Linda, California	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Olivehurst, California	190 mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Yuba City compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Yuba City	≈ 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 Yuba City's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 177.2 mg/LpH: 7.5

The City of Yuba City Public Works Utilities Department manages the water supply for approximately 75,000 residents in Yuba City, California, within Yuba County. Primary sources include surface water from the Feather River and groundwater from deep wells in the Sacramento Valley. Treatment is carried out at facilities employing conventional filtration and chlorination disinfection. The utility can be contacted at 530-822-4636 or 1201 Civic Center Blvd, Yuba City, CA 95993.

The Feather River watershed originates in the Sierra Nevada, flowing through granitic batholiths and metavolcanic rocks before reaching the Central Valley's alluvial plains. Groundwater is sourced from unconfined and semi-confined aquifers in the Sacramento Valley Groundwater Basin, shaped by Pleistocene and Holocene fluvial deposits. This geology leaches alkaline earth metals from sedimentary and igneous formations, yielding a moderately mineralised character to the water supply.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup occurs in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan while increasing energy costs by 20–30%. Soap lathering is reduced, leading to higher detergent use, and fixtures may develop spots. Regular vinegar descaling, low-flow aerators, and magnetic conditioners help mitigate effects; a water softener is recommended for households with noticeable spotting or appliance issues. Water meets all EPA MCLs with no violations reported; treatment uses conventional filtration and chlorine disinfection, with surface water prone to seasonal variations.

Geology & Source: Feather River watershed, Sacramento Valley; Mesozoic granitic Sierra Nevada foothills and Quaternary alluvial Sacramento Valley Groundwater Basin — sands, gravels, and clays leach calcium and magnesium producing moderate hardness

Other California Water Reports

Marysville

247 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

South Yuba City

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Linda

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Olivehurst

190 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 Yuba City's water safe to drink?

Yes. Yuba City'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 Yuba City?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Yuba City'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 Yuba City compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Yuba City (≈ 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 Yuba City 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.