Water hardness in Concord
4.3 gpg moderately hard
Tap water in Concord is moderately hard: 4.3 gpg (74 mg/L · 4.1 °dH · 7.4 °fH).
Source: Contra Costa Water District 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 59–90 mg/L.
Contra Costa Water District treats Concord's water at its Bollman plant. Its 2025 report lists hardness at an average of 74 mg/L (4.3 gpg), with a range of 59 to 90 mg/L. The report does not print the CaCO3 basis on that row, and we assume the district is Concord's retail supplier. That is moderately hard water. Scale builds slowly.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 4.3 gpg |
|---|
How Concord compares
- Tap water in Concord is 52 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1136 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 17 % of these cities have softer water.
- In California it is number 280 of 336 cities; the regional median is 9.5 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Walnut Creek, 9 km away (1.1 gpg).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Martinez, 10 km away (5.8 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Concord
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Concord water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 74 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.3 gpg, 4.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Concord safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Concord water?
4.3 gpg, equal to 4.1 °dH, 7.4 °fH or 74 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Concord?
For 74 mg/L (4.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Concord?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Contra Costa Water District 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Contra Costa Water District 2025 Annual Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us