Local water
What's in Bay Area tap water
Hardness is only one part of it. A home with soft water can still have chloramine, taste and odor to deal with.
| Supply | Where it is common | Character | What people usually treat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hetch Hetchy (SFPUC) | San Francisco, the Peninsula, parts of Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and North San Jose | Soft, chloraminated | Chloramine, taste and smell, drinking water |
| Treated Valley Water | Parts of Santa Clara County | Moderate, chloraminated | Chloramine, some scale, drinking water |
| Local wells | Much of San Jose, Santa Clara, Morgan Hill | Hard | Scale, then drinking water |
Many areas get a blend, and it can change with the season. Two neighbors can have different water.
Find yours
- Look up your utility’s latest Consumer Confidence Report.
- Note the supply and the disinfectant, not only the hardness.
- Test at your own tap. Reports are sampled where water enters the system.
These are published ranges and general guidance, not quotes. In the Bay Area, Soft Patagonian offers free water tests.
Common questions
Is soft water free of anything worth treating?
No. Hardness is one measure. Much of the soft water in the Bay Area is treated with chloramine, which affects taste and smell and needs its own filter.
How do I find out what is in my water?
Read your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report, then test at your own tap. Supply can change by neighborhood and season.