Water hardness in Lake Elsinore
12.3 gpg very hard
Tap water in Lake Elsinore is very hard: 12.3 gpg (210 mg/L · 11.8 °dH · 21 °fH).
Source: EVMWD 2025 Water Quality Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 67–480 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AVP-EMWD Imported Water Blend | 12.7 | 217 | very hard |
| Elsinore Groundwater Blend (Terra Cotta, Machado and Palomar wells with AVP blend) | 19.7 | 338 | very hard |
| Temescal Groundwater (Mayhew Well) | 11.9 | 203 | very hard |
| TVP-WMWD Imported Water Blend | 5.4 | 93 | moderately hard |
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District reports hardness from 67 to 480 mg/L across four zones, with a median of 210 mg/L, which is very hard. Supply in inland Southern California is typically a mix of imported and local groundwater, and the mix differs by zone. Check which zone your address falls in, because the top of the range is more than seven times the bottom and a softener makes sense mainly in the harder zones.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.3 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) |
How Lake Elsinore compares
- Tap water in Lake Elsinore is 35 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 489 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 63 % of these cities have softer water.
- In California it is number 107 of 336 cities; the regional median is 9.5 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Menifee, 13 km away (5.7 gpg).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Murrieta, 16 km away (15.8 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Lake Elsinore
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Lake Elsinore water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 210 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.3 gpg, 11.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore water?
12.3 gpg, equal to 11.8 °dH, 21 °fH or 210 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Lake Elsinore?
For 210 mg/L (11.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Lake Elsinore?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: EVMWD 2025 Water Quality Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. EVMWD 2025 Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us