Hardness
Very Hard
197 PPM · 11.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Avenal, CA 93204
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Kings County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Avenal, City Of
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Kings County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 13,696 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
197 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
197
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
11.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 197 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
21
Nearest site
43.7 mi
Observation range
Apr 6, 2016–Mar 2, 2023
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: ATASCADERO C A W MALL BR A ATASCADERO CA (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 93204 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Avenal median
193 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 188–197 PPM
California median
189 PPM
8 PPM higher678 indexed ZIP readings · Range 3.3–728.5 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
TTHM
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.081
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 7
- Health-based
- 6
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | CA1610002 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | CA1610002 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.081 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | CA1610002 | Archived | Oct 1, 2022through Dec 31, 2022 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.085 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | CA1610002 | Archived | Apr 1, 2022through Jun 30, 2022 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.088 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | CA1610002 | Archived | Jan 1, 2022through Mar 31, 2022 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.084 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | CA1610002 | Archived | Oct 1, 2021through Dec 31, 2021 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.091 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | CA1610002 | Archived | Jul 1, 2021through Sep 30, 2021 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Avenal ZIP 93204 using 197 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
197 PPM is 2× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
TTHM, LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Avenal
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Avenal
Is tap water safe in Avenal?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 197 PPM, or 11.5 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 197 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.