The City of Redlands supplies a blend of river and creek surface water and Bunker Hill Basin groundwater, and its 2022 water quality report put average hardness at 152 mg/L for groundwater and 135 mg/L for treated surface water. That is hard enough to leave scale in many Redlands homes. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Redlands.
Where does Redlands get its water?
The City of Redlands Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department serves Redlands, Mentone, parts of Crafton Hills and San Timoteo Canyon, and a small part of San Bernardino. According to the City's 2022 water quality report, the supply comes from surface water in the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek watersheds and groundwater from the Bunker Hill Basin, which covers about half of normal demand. Imported State Water Project water fills in during peak demand.
How hard is it, and does it vary?
The 2022 report, covering 2021 data, listed groundwater hardness averaging 152 mg/L, with a range of 100 to 200, and treated surface water averaging 135 mg/L, ranging from 130 to 140. In grains per gallon, that is roughly 6 to 12. Since the City blends sources, hardness at your tap can move with the mix and the season. A newer report is posted on the City's Water Quality page, so check it or test your own water before sizing equipment.
At those levels, many homeowners see crust on aerators and film on glass, and water heaters collect sediment over time. A softener stops that buildup. The 2022 report lists chlorine as the disinfectant; softening does not affect it, and a carbon filter is the tool if taste is a concern.
Will I need a permit, and what about backflow?
The City of Redlands Building & Safety Division at its One Stop Permit Center issues plumbing permits, and the plumber can confirm whether a softener installation needs one. Water heater permits, if you are replacing the heater at the same time, can be started online but must be paid in person before they are issued. If your property already has a backflow prevention assembly, that is a separate matter: Redlands requires every assembly to be tested annually by a City-approved certified tester, with results filed through the City's online system. A softener installation is a good moment to make sure that test is current.
Local note
The City reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines in its distribution system. If you are replacing an aging water heater soon, install the softener first or at the same visit so the new tank starts on soft water. For billing or service questions, Redlands customer service is listed at (909) 798-7516.
Water Softeners & Filtration questions in Redlands
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Why does my water seem harder some months than others?
How do I convert mg/L or ppm to grains per gallon?
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