The City of Colton supplies mostly local groundwater from city wells, and its report lists total hardness averaging about 207 mg/L, which is hard. A softener protects fixtures and water heaters in Colton homes. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Colton.
Colton runs its own water and wastewater utilities. Drinking water comes from seven city wells in the Colton/Rialto, Bunker Hill and North Riverside basins, with an interconnection to the City of Rialto and, when needed, treated groundwater from the City of San Bernardino. The City's latest report lists total hardness averaging 206.67 mg/L for Colton/Rialto sources, with a range of 150 to 230 mg/L, or roughly 12 grains per gallon. Rialto-source water is listed at 160 mg/L. Colton disinfects with chlorine. About half of Colton's homes were built before 1980, with a median build year of 1979.
What to do now
- Confirm the hardness. The City's Consumer Confidence Report has the numbers; a tap test confirms what reaches your home.
- Inspect the water heater. On water this hard, tanks collect sediment. If yours is noisy, ask about flushing it when the softener goes in.
- Check the main shutoff. In older homes, a stiff or leaking valve may need replacing first.
- Choose the location. Usually the garage or an exterior wall at the main, near a drain and power.
- Ask about permits. Colton lists replacing fixtures on existing plumbing as not needing a permit, but new equipment on the main line is a different question for Building & Safety.
Signs table
| What you notice | Probable cause |
|---|---|
| Heavy crust on aerators and showerheads | Hard groundwater |
| Water heater popping or losing capacity | Scale buildup in the tank |
| Faucet handles that stiffen | Mineral deposits in cartridges |
| Rings in the toilet bowl | Calcium deposits at the waterline |
| Rough, stiff laundry | Minerals reacting with detergent |
Cost factors
- Unit size for about 12 grains per gallon and your household's use
- Condition of older pipe and valves at the tie-in
- Location and drain access
- Regeneration type
- Filtration add-ons
- Bypass for outdoor water
Colton's Building & Safety Division is at (909) 370-5079. Regeneration water goes to the City's own wastewater system, which Colton operates from collection through treatment. The City also requires a building permit to replace, relocate or install a water heater, so if your tank is near the end of its life, the plumber can plan both jobs together and handle the paperwork at once. Starting a new heater on softened water is the easiest way to protect it from the scale that shortened the old one.
Water Softeners & Filtration questions in Colton
Where can I find the hardness of my water?
How do I convert mg/L or ppm to grains per gallon?
Will softening protect a tankless water heater?
Should yard spigots and irrigation bypass the softener?
More plumbing services in Colton
Water Softeners & Filtration nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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