Water hardness in Tulare
0.5 gpg soft
Tap water in Tulare is soft: 0.5 gpg (8 mg/L · 0.4 °dH · 0.8 °fH).
Source: California SWRCB Division of Drinking Water, EDT lab results, system CA5410015 (2026-06) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 4–11 mg/L.
The Tulare figure comes from State Water Resources Control Board lab results for the City of Tulare system. The median of 5 well results from 2021 to 2026 is 8 mg/L as CaCO3 (0.5 gpg), with a range of 4.2 to 11.2 mg/L. That is very soft water, and nearby Hanford reports similarly low values from the same valley aquifers. Scale is negligible.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 0.5 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Tulare, City Of |
How Tulare compares
- Tap water in Tulare is 95 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1365 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 1 % of these cities have softer water.
- In California it is number 336 of 336 cities; the regional median is 9.5 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Visalia, 14 km away (4.7 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Tulare
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Tulare water hard or soft?
It is soft: 8 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.5 gpg, 0.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Tulare 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 Tulare water?
0.5 gpg, equal to 0.4 °dH, 0.8 °fH or 8 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Tulare?
For 8 mg/L (0.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Tulare?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: California SWRCB Division of Drinking Water, EDT lab results, system CA5410015 (2026-06). Method: own measurement. California SWRCB Division of Drinking Water, EDT lab results, system CA5410015 · Outdated figure? Tell us