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Santa Monica Hard Water
How Hard Is Santa Monica Water?
Santa Monica’s tap water is moderately hard. Most homes receive local groundwater that’s treated and softened by reverse osmosis at the Arcadia Treatment Plant, which the city’s most recent water quality report shows averaging 106 ppm (range 93–134), or about 6 grains per gallon. That water is blended with imported Metropolitan Water District supply, which runs harder at about 270 ppm (roughly 16 grains per gallon), so hardness at your tap can vary.
Where Can I Get A Water Quality Report?
You can access Santa Monica’s annual Water Quality Report. This is also known as a consumer confidence report, and provides detailed data on the composition of your municipal water annually.
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water in santa monica, california
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Monica tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Santa Monica’s tap water meets all state and federal standards, and the city’s most recent water quality report lists no violations. Trace levels of some substances were detected, including nitrate (averaging 0.2 ppm at the Arcadia Treatment Plant), uranium (averaging 1.6 pCi/L), and TTHMs (citywide average 20.9 ppb), all within regulatory limits. Arsenic and PFAS were not detected.
Is Santa Monica’s water hard?
Yes, Santa Monica’s water is moderately hard. Water from the Arcadia Treatment Plant, which most homes receive, averages 106 ppm (about 6 gpg), while imported MWD water runs harder at about 270 ppm (roughly 16 gpg). Hard water can lead to mineral buildup on fixtures and affect appliance efficiency.
Does Santa Monica’s water contain PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
No. Santa Monica’s most recent water quality report states that all PFAS samples analyzed by an outside laboratory were non-detect (ND). Because PFAS levels can change over time, many residents still choose reverse osmosis or advanced carbon filtration systems for added peace of mind.
Does Santa Monica add fluoride to its water?
Yes, fluoride is added to Santa Monica’s water at the Arcadia Treatment Plant and kept within a control range of 0.6–1.2 ppm, which is within both state and federal recommendations to help prevent tooth decay.
What other contaminants are in Santa Monica’s water?
The most recent water quality report detected trace levels of:
- Hexavalent chromium (0.1 ppb at the Arcadia Treatment Plant; 1.7 ppb at Santa Monica Well #1, most recent sample)
- Nitrate (averaging 0.2 ppm at the Arcadia Treatment Plant; 2.8 ppm at Santa Monica Well #1)
- TTHMs (citywide average 20.9 ppb, range 6.9–50.2 ppb)
- HAA5 (citywide average 3.8 ppb, range ND–17.5 ppb)
- Uranium (averaging 1.6 pCi/L at the Arcadia Treatment Plant, range 1.1–2.1)
- Aluminum (averaging 62–93 ppb in imported MWD water; not detected at the Arcadia Treatment Plant)
Where does Santa Monica get its water?
Santa Monica gets up to 75% of its water from local groundwater wells in the Santa Monica Basin (Charnock, Olympic, and Arcadia sub-basins), treated at the Arcadia Treatment Plant, and about 25% from imported surface water supplied by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD).
What is the pH level of Santa Monica’s water?
The pH of water from the Arcadia Treatment Plant, which serves most homes, averages 8.4 (range 8.2–8.7), which is considered slightly alkaline.
Should I use a water filter or softener in Santa Monica?
Because of hard water and trace contaminants like hexavalent chromium and TTHMs, many residents use whole-house filters, reverse osmosis systems, or water softeners to improve water quality, taste, and appliance longevity.
Does Santa Monica water have a high total dissolved solids (TDS) level?
It depends on the source. Water from the Arcadia Treatment Plant, which serves most homes, averages 182 ppm (range 137–210), while imported MWD water runs about 306 to 632 ppm depending on the treatment plant, and the Santa Monica Well #1 source has measured 947 ppm before blending. California’s secondary standard for TDS is 500 ppm (recommended), with a 1,000 ppm upper limit. Higher TDS can affect taste, and reverse osmosis systems are recommended to reduce TDS levels for better drinking water.
Where can I get a local water quality report?
You can view the latest Santa Monica Water Quality Report from the City of Santa Monica here.
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