Hardness
Moderately hard83mg/L as CaCO₃
reported system average
USGS hardness classes
About 4.9 gpg. Source figures differ: Fairbairn 34, Sacramento River plant 63, groundwater range 15–154 mg/L.
2023–2025
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Your local water, explained
Sacramento County Water Quality Report
Choose the correct Sacramento utility before comparing hardness or filtration.
The City of Sacramento’s 2025 report lists an 83 mg/L system hardness average, using 2023–2025 measurements. That is moderately hard. Sacramento County Water Agency and other county suppliers are separate systems; the city’s numbers are not a countywide water test.
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Your water
Match the name on your water bill.
Check the supplier on your water bill. City and county boundaries can include several water systems.
Only the listed water system is summarized here. Choose “Other / not sure” if your bill shows a different supplier.
Confirm the provider on your bill, or choose “Other / not sure” to continue without a matched report.
These are utility measurements, not a test at your tap or a current service advisory. Sources checked October 27, 2026
Choose the right utility report
The figures below are provider-specific. They are not a countywide average.
| Utility | Hardness | Hardness source |
|---|---|---|
| 83 mg/L as CaCO₃ · Moderately hard | 2023–2025 · reported system average |
Showing utility report
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities
2025 utility report; measurement years are shown with each result
Use these results only if City of Sacramento Department of Utilities supplies your home. County and ZIP boundaries do not confirm a water provider.
Your water at a glance
See the amount, the comparison and what it means. “Below” refers to the stated benchmark, not zero risk.
Chlorine
Below the 4 mg/L limit0.8mg/L
system average; range 0.2–1.4
MRDL: 4 mg/L
This is a disinfectant residual in utility monitoring, not a tap-specific measurement.
2025
View source ↗TTHMs
Reported value below 80 ppb63µg/L (ppb)
reported system average
MCL: 80 ppb
The table labels this a system average. A home’s sample may differ; compliance uses the required averaging method.
2025
View source ↗HAA5
Reported value below 60 ppb29µg/L (ppb)
system average; range ND–31
MCL: 60 ppb
Disinfection byproducts; keep the result’s averaging basis with its benchmark.
2025
View source ↗Fluoride
Below California’s 2 mg/L limit0.7mg/L
system average; range 0.2–1.0
California MCL: 2 mg/L
Dedicated fluoride treatment is different from standard whole-house filtration.
2025
View source ↗Lead
Below the report’s action levelND90th percentile
56 sampled homes
Report action level: 15 ppb
No sampled homes exceeded the report’s 15 ppb action level. These samples were collected in 2023.
2023
View source ↗Arsenic
Below the 10 ppb limitND–4.3µg/L (ppb)
groundwater sample range
MCL: 10 ppb
The system average was reported as ND. A groundwater range is not the value at your home.
2023–2025
View source ↗PFAS
Unknown from this tableNo numeric valuein this report’s PFAS section
monitoring discussed; see utility updates
No numeric comparison
Do not read missing numbers as zero PFAS. Request current source-specific results from the city.
2025 report
View source ↗View Full Water ReportOpen the measured results, dates, comparisons and original utility report.
The numbers behind your report
Selected results with the original sampling dates and measurement basis. Open the utility report for every parameter, notice and footnote.
Open the complete utility report ↗
| What was measured | Reported amount | Sample year / source date | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 83 mg/L as CaCO₃reported system average | 2023–2025View source ↗ | Moderately hardAbout 4.9 gpg. Source figures differ: Fairbairn 34, Sacramento River plant 63, groundwater range 15–154 mg/L. |
| Chlorine | 0.8 mg/Lsystem average; range 0.2–1.4 | 2025View source ↗ | Below the 4 mg/L limitThis is a disinfectant residual in utility monitoring, not a tap-specific measurement. |
| TTHMs | 63 µg/L (ppb)reported system average | 2025View source ↗ | Reported value below 80 ppbThe table labels this a system average. A home’s sample may differ; compliance uses the required averaging method. |
| HAA5 | 29 µg/L (ppb)system average; range ND–31 | 2025View source ↗ | Reported value below 60 ppbDisinfection byproducts; keep the result’s averaging basis with its benchmark. |
| Fluoride | 0.7 mg/Lsystem average; range 0.2–1.0 | 2025View source ↗ | Below California’s 2 mg/L limitDedicated fluoride treatment is different from standard whole-house filtration. |
| Lead | ND 90th percentile56 sampled homes | 2023View source ↗ | Below the report’s action levelNo sampled homes exceeded the report’s 15 ppb action level. These samples were collected in 2023. |
| Arsenic | ND–4.3 µg/L (ppb)groundwater sample range | 2023–2025View source ↗ | Below the 10 ppb limitThe system average was reported as ND. A groundwater range is not the value at your home. |
| PFAS | No numeric value in this report’s PFAS sectionmonitoring discussed; see utility updates | 2025 reportView source ↗ | Unknown from this tableDo not read missing numbers as zero PFAS. Request current source-specific results from the city. |
| Hardness — Fairbairn plant | 34 mg/L as CaCO₃reported source value | 2023–2025View source ↗ | SoftAmerican River treatment plant; not a county average. |
| Hardness — Sacramento River plant | 63 mg/L as CaCO₃reported source value | 2023–2025View source ↗ | Moderately hardSource result; the blend at a home may differ. |
| Hardness — groundwater | 15–154 mg/L as CaCO₃source range | 2023–2025View source ↗ | Soft to hardConfirm tap hardness when selecting softener size and settings. |
| Chromium-6 | 3.50 µg/Lsystem average; groundwater ND–7.0 | 2023–2025View source ↗ | Below the 10 µg/L limitThe report lists a 0.02 µg/L health goal, which is different from the MCL. |
| Nitrate as nitrogen | 1.0 mg/Lsystem average; groundwater ND–3.0 | 2025View source ↗ | Below the 10 mg/L limitDo not assume standard filtration or a softener treats nitrate. |
| Copper | 0.06 mg/L90th percentile | 2023View source ↗ | Below the 1.3 mg/L action levelNone of the 56 sampled homes exceeded the action level. |
| Total dissolved solids | 205 mg/Lsystem average | 2023–2025View source ↗ | Below report’s 1,000 mg/L secondary limitSource values vary: 47 and 110 mg/L at river plants; groundwater 180–280. |
| Sodium | 26 mg/Lsystem average | 2023–2025View source ↗ | No MCL listed in this tableSodium and hardness are separate measurements. |
In drinking water, ppm ≈ mg/L, ppb ≈ µg/L and ppt ≈ ng/L. Calculated hardness in grains per US gallon (gpg) = mg/L as CaCO₃ ÷ 17.118, rounded to one decimal. ND means below the reporting limit, not zero.
MCL is an enforceable contaminant limit; MRDL is a disinfectant limit. A PHG is a health goal, not the legal limit. Lead/copper action levels use system sampling percentiles, not a safe-tap threshold. TTHM/HAA5 comparisons use locational running annual averages.
PFAS results are compound-specific. Source monitoring, entry-point samples and tap tests are different. Notification and response levels in a utility report are not maximum contaminant levels; do not infer a compliance violation from a single value. EPA PFAS benchmarks and implementation ↗
Turn your report into a plan for your home.
Choose the system size, keep useful existing equipment, and review your filtration goals.
Source water. Treated American River and Sacramento River water, with groundwater supplies. Water source and blend determine the hardness reaching a particular home.
Your provider needs its own report.
Continue with your home details for general filtration guidance. We will not use another utility’s numbers as your result.
Find My Water System →Private well? Start with a current water test.
A city report cannot establish a well’s water quality. Well-water treatment depends on your test results and site conditions.
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More about your local water
What this means for your home
This county page currently provides detailed City of Sacramento results and links to other local reporting systems. River-water and groundwater figures differ, even within the city utility. A home supplied by Sacramento County Water Agency needs the report for its specific service area, and private wells need their own current tests.
Related city reports
Different name on your water bill?
These local providers publish separate reports. Follow the matching utility link; the measurements above do not describe these systems.
A useful local question
Can I use the City of Sacramento report anywhere in the county?
Only if that city utility supplies the property. Check the bill before using its hardness or contaminant figures. The city reports a moderate average, but groundwater ranges reach the hard category. Recommend softening when the actual supply or home test supports it, rather than treating the county name as a water-quality measurement.
Sources and methodology
We keep each utility’s results separate, show the reported sample year, and distinguish averages, maxima and tap-sampling percentiles. Hardness classifications use USGS ranges. Missing data stays unknown.
- City of Sacramento Department of Utilities ↗2025 utility report; measurement years are shown with each result
- City of Sacramento current water quality reports ↗
- USGS hardness classification
- EPA PFAS benchmarks and implementation
Sources checked October 27, 2026
Your water → your home → your system
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Choose the system size, keep useful existing equipment, and review your filtration goals.
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