Tankless Water Heater in Lake Elsinore, CA

Why does hardness matter so much here?

Because it swings widely. EVMWD's 2025 Water Quality Report says about 85% of supply is imported water and about 15% is local groundwater from the Elsinore basin and Temescal wells. Average hardness by source runs from 93 ppm for Western Municipal Water District imported water, to 217 ppm for EMWD imported water, 203 ppm for Temescal groundwater and 338 ppm for the Elsinore groundwater blend, which ranges as high as 400 ppm. Hardness at your tap depends on which supplies reach your area and the season. In a tankless unit, scale settles in the heat exchanger and cuts flow and efficiency, so many owners pair the heater with a softener or scale cartridge and flush it every year. EVMWD disinfects with chlorine.

Who is responsible for which part of the water line?

EVMWD maintains everything through the meter box. Leaks on the house side of the meter box belong to the property owner, and so does everything inside, including the water heater and its connections. EVMWD's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement lines in public or private connections, though the district notes that customer plumbing inside a home may still contain lead. If a tankless install shows corroded supply piping, it is worth fixing at the same visit.

The gas side needs the same care. A whole-house tankless burner can draw several times what a tank uses, so the plumber measures the pipe from the meter and checks every other gas appliance on the line before choosing a model. The unit also needs its own sealed vent and an electrical outlet for its controls.

What does the City require?

The City of Lake Elsinore Building & Safety Division, 130 S. Main Street, 951-674-3124, requires permits to install, alter, repair or replace any plumbing or gas system. A tankless conversion involves both, plus venting, so it is permitted and inspected. Applications can go through the City's Citizen Self-Service Portal, and the installing plumber normally files them.

One local note

Natural gas here comes from SoCalGas. If you smell gas near the water heater, leave the house first, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside.