Gardnerville Ranchos Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.7 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
753.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.71
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 Gardnerville Ranchos, your appliances are currently losing 36% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gardnerville Ranchos | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -69% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gardnerville Ranchos compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada | 268 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| South Lake Tahoe, California | 49 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Carson City, Nevada | 185.5 mg/L | 2.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Truckee, California | 103 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Reno, Nevada | 96.5 mg/L | 2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Gardnerville Ranchos compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gardnerville Ranchos | 268 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gardnerville Ranchos's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada, in Douglas County — a Douglas County unincorporated community adjacent to Gardnerville and Minden in the Carson Valley near Lake Tahoe — receives its water from the Douglas County Utilities or Gardnerville Ranchos GID, drawing from deep Carson Valley basin-fill aquifer wells through the west Nevada distribution.
The very hard 268 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 753.5 mg/L reflect the Douglas County Carson Valley aquifer's very hard character — the Quaternary basin-fill alluvium of the Walker Lane-Carson Valley Graben concentrates calcareous and evaporite minerals from the Sierra Nevada and Basin-Range formations, and Tertiary volcanic tuff contributes silica and minor calcareous content (compare Gardnerville NV: 262/736 in Douglas County comparable; Minden NV: 273/769 in Douglas County comparable; Gardnerville Ranchos consistent very hard from the same Douglas County Carson Valley Quaternary basin-fill supply). The Carson Valley aquifer — Quaternary basin-fill alluvium (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Tertiary volcanic tuff (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene Carson River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 268 mg/L with TDS 754, Gardnerville Ranchos' water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 3.3 ppt is low — a clean result for the Nevada desert. Review the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Gardnerville Ranchos in Douglas County draws from the Douglas County Water on the Carson Valley aquifer (Douglas County, west Nevada) — the Carson Valley aquifer draws from Quaternary basin-fill alluvium (calcareous) and Tertiary volcanic tuff (slightly calcareous) — Nevada Douglas County Carson Valley Quaternary basin-fill supply produces very hard water at 268 mg/L with TDS 753.5 mg/L.