The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department reports that its entire supply is groundwater from the Bunker Hill Basin, and it lists the hardness as naturally occurring. The average is 242.2 mg/L, with samples from 130 to 330 mg/L. The department's service area does not follow the city line. State boundary data shows East Valley Water District serving parts of the city near Highland, and its report lists a lower average of 152 mg/L. Colton, Rialto and Loma Linda each publish their own water report, so a San Bernardino mailing address does not guarantee this figure.
What 14.2 gpg means
Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). The U.S. Geological Survey calls water hard from 7.1 to 10.5 and very hard above 10.5. Very hard is the top band on the scale, and 14.2 sits well inside it. Very hard water leaves scale on fixtures, spots on glass and buildup inside water heaters.
The department prints its figure in mg/L. We converted it at 17.1 mg/L per grain, the factor water agencies use, which is why the card above says calculated rather than printed.
Where your water comes from
The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department reports that all of its supply is groundwater from the Bunker Hill Basin. Not every address with a San Bernardino mailing address is in the department's area. State boundary data shows ZIP codes 92401, 92405, 92408 and 92411 almost entirely inside it, while others, including 92404 and 92410, are shared with other suppliers. If your bill comes from another supplier, read that supplier's report instead.
San Bernardino's rule on water softeners
San Bernardino allows residential water softeners with conditions. The department's Rule and Regulation No. 26, section 3.8, says a residential softener may be installed only if it regenerates off site, or if it discharges to the home's waste system and meets state equipment standards: it regenerates only when needed, it has a third-party certified salt efficiency (grains of hardness removed per pound of salt) of at least 4,000, and water-saving devices are installed on every softened-water fixture. A contractor holding a C-55 or C-36 license also has to file a certification with the City Building Division.
The rule lets the department's director limit or prohibit softeners that discharge to the sewer, but only after three specific findings. We have not found that the director has made them. The rule applies to the department's sewer customers. Highland, Colton, Rialto and Loma Linda have their own sewer providers, and we have not reviewed their rules. This is a plain-words summary of the rule as published, not legal advice, so confirm before you buy. What Nuvia recommends in San Bernardino has to fit within it.
What Nuvia does in San Bernardino
We offer a free in-home water analysis so you can see your own tap's numbers next to the department's average. Book it with the form below. If you want to read first, start with water softeners and conditioners, whole-house water filtration or reverse osmosis drinking water.
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Questions people ask
How hard is the water in San Bernardino?
The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department reports an average of 242.2 mg/L, which is 14.2 gpg. Samples in the report run from 130 to 330 mg/L. That is in the very hard band on the USGS scale.
Is the 14.2 figure printed by the water department or converted?
The department prints the figure in mg/L. We converted it at 17.1 mg/L per grain, the factor water agencies use, so the card at the top of this page says calculated.
Does the whole city get the same water?
Not necessarily. State boundary data shows ZIP codes 92401, 92405, 92408 and 92411 almost entirely inside the department's area. Others, including 92404 and 92410, are shared with other suppliers such as East Valley Water District. Your water bill names your supplier.
Where does San Bernardino's water come from?
The department's report says all of its supply is groundwater from the Bunker Hill Basin. It lists the hardness as naturally occurring.
Can I install a water softener in San Bernardino?
The department's Rule and Regulation No. 26 allows residential water softeners with conditions: off-site regeneration, or a unit that meets state equipment standards, with a C-55 or C-36 contractor's certification filed with the City Building Division. It is a conditional rule, not a ban. Confirm with the department before you buy.
Does the in-home water analysis cost anything?
No. Nuvia Water offers it free. Book it with the form on this page or with the Book button.
Book your free water analysis today.
A Nuvia specialist tests your water at your tap and shows you the numbers.