Port Angeles Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
174 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Port Angeles, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Port Angeles | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Port Angeles compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Port Angeles, Washington | 69.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Oak Harbor, Washington | 23 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Silverdale, Washington | 20 mg/L | 1.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Camano, Washington | 61 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Anacortes, Washington | 46 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Port Angeles compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Port Angeles | 69.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Port Angeles's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Port Angeles, Washington, in Clallam County — the Clallam County seat on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the gateway to Olympic National Park, a working port and ferry crossing point to Victoria, BC — receives its municipal water from the City of Port Angeles Water Division, drawing from the Elwha River (through the Ranney Collector in the Elwha River alluvial gravel) following the historic removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams (2012-2014) — the largest dam removal project in US history.
The moderately soft 69.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 174.0 mg/L reflect the Elwha River's Olympic Mountains character. The Elwha River drains the interior Olympic Mountains — one of the wettest regions in North America — terrain underlain by the Olympic Subduction Complex (Eocene-Oligocene basalt, sandstone, argillite — all relatively insoluble sedimentary and mafic volcanic rock). The moderate Olympic Peninsula hardness is somewhat higher than pure Cascade volcanic watershed supplies due to the Olympic Complex's diverse lithology and the somewhat longer water residence time in the Elwha alluvial Ranney Collector.
At 69.5 mg/L, Port Angeles' water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 3.1 ppt is good for a Pacific Northwest coastal city — reflecting the Olympic National Park watershed's protected character, the relatively limited direct military-industrial PFAS in the Elwha watershed, and the Olympic Peninsula's remote position from major PFAS point sources.
Geology & Source: Port Angeles in Clallam County draws from the City of Port Angeles Water Division on Elwha River water (post-dam removal, 2012-2014) or the Ranney Collector (Elwha alluvial aquifer) — the Elwha drains the Olympic Mountains (Oligocene-Eocene Olympic subduction complex — basalt, sandstone, argillite) — Olympic Mountains Tertiary subduction terrain drainage produces moderately soft water at 69.5 mg/L with TDS 174 mg/L in this Clallam County Washington city.