Sunnyside Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
202.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.21
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 Sunnyside, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sunnyside | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -18% |
| Washing Machine | 10.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -11% |
| Water Heater | 12.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -17% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sunnyside compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sunnyside, Washington | 77.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Yakima, Washington | 46.5 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| West Richland, Washington | 20.5 mg/L | 1.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| West Valley, Washington | 20 mg/L | 1.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Richland, Washington | 31.5 mg/L | 1.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Sunnyside compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sunnyside | 77.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sunnyside's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sunnyside, Washington, in Yakima County — a Yakima County city adjacent to Grandview and Mabton in the lower Yakima Valley agricultural corridor — receives its municipal water from the Sunnyside Water Division, drawing from the Yakima River (Yakima County, the Yakima Valley irrigation canal system) through the Sunnyside treatment plant.
The moderately soft 77.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 202.4 mg/L reflect the lower Yakima River supply's moderately hard character — harder than the upper Yakima mountain supplies but softer than the eastern Washington groundwater communities. The Yakima River at the lower valley drains the Cascade Range — Miocene Columbia River Basalt (moderately basic — slightly more soluble than pure granite), Oligocene Tieton andesite (low solubility), and the Eastern Cascades metamorphic terrane. The Columbia River Basalt and Cascade volcanic geology produces the moderately soft lower Yakima Valley supply.
At 77.5 mg/L, Sunnyside's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.3 ppt is low — the Yakima County agricultural valley has limited industrial PFAS point sources, and the Yakima River Cascade headwaters are relatively pristine.
Geology & Source: Sunnyside in Yakima County draws from the Sunnyside Water Division on the Yakima River (Yakima County, south-central Washington) — the Yakima drains the Cascades Range (Miocene Columbia River Basalt, Oligocene Tieton andesite — moderately basic) and Eastern Cascades highlands — Washington Yakima County Yakima River Cascade volcanic watershed produces moderately soft water at 77.5 mg/L with TDS 202.4 mg/L in this Yakima County Washington city.