How hard is Dixon water
The City of Dixon draws its water from deep groundwater wells. Its 2024 water quality report gives these figures for hardness and sodium.
Water above about 120 parts per million is generally called hard, and Dixon sits above that line all year. Scale builds up slowly, which is why many homeowners notice it first on faucets, showerheads and inside the water heater.
Signs hard water is costing you
Scale leaves clear marks. These are the ones we see most in Dixon homes.
White crust on faucets and showerheads
Calcium and magnesium dry out and leave deposits.
Spotty glasses and dishes
Minerals stay behind when water evaporates.
Sediment in the water heater
Scale collects on the bottom of the tank and on heating surfaces.
Low flow from fixtures
Aerators and showerheads clog with mineral buildup.
Stiff laundry and dry skin feel
Soap reacts with minerals and does not rinse as cleanly.
Scale in the tank shortens heater life, so water heater repair often comes up in the same conversation.
Dixon against Davis and Vacaville
Source type: City of Dixon, City of Davis and City of Vacaville water quality reports.Nearby cities sit on different water sources, so softener needs differ. The City of Davis reported a weighted average hardness of 66 parts per million in 2024, down from 306 in 2015, after it added surface water from the Sacramento River. The city suggests softener users there bypass or adjust their units.
The City of Vacaville's 2024 report lists a mix of Lake Berryessa, North Bay Aqueduct and groundwater, with averages from 163 to 177 parts per million. That is close to Dixon.
The City of Dixon's report also notes hexavalent chromium above the state limit of 10 parts per billion in its source water, and the city is studying treatment. A softener treats hardness. It is not a treatment for chromium, so ask the City of Dixon water operations office at (707) 678-7050 about that topic.
The U.S. Geological Survey scale calls 121 to 180 parts per million hard and above 180 very hard. Dixon's 163 average is hard, and the top of the city's range crosses into very hard.
What to do before the installer arrives
A little preparation helps the installer choose the right spot and keeps the water off for less time.
- Decide where the unit can go, near the main line and a drain.
- Make sure there is a power outlet nearby for the control head.
- Clear a path and a few feet of working space.
- Write down your household size and your water bill, since both help with sizing.
- Do not run laundry or the dishwasher while the water is off.
Wondering if a softener is worth it?
Describe the scale you see and your household size. A same-day appointment is offered when available.
Softener or other options
A softener is not the only answer to hard water. This comparison shows when each makes sense.
A softener fits when
- Scale shows up across the whole house.
- You want protection for the heater and appliances.
- You can put up with periodic salt refills.
- There is a spot for the tank and a nearby drain.
Other steps fit when
- Only one fixture shows scale and a vinegar soak clears it.
- You mainly want drinking water treated at one tap.
- You rent and cannot change the plumbing.
- You flush the water heater tank on a schedule instead.
What a softener installation involves
A softener installs on the main supply after the meter and before the water heater. The plumber adds a bypass valve so you can isolate the unit, connects a drain line for the regeneration cycle and runs an overflow line for safety.
Outdoor hose bibs and a kitchen cold tap are often left on untreated water. Where the unit goes depends on space, power for the control head and access to a drain, so the plumber looks at the garage or utility area first.
What changes the price of softener installation
The unit and the labor are separate lines. These factors move the total.
A softener is an equipment upgrade, so insurance does not usually cover it. Ask for a written price that separates the unit from the labor.
For your real number, call (916) 312-0578 and tell the dispatcher your household size and where you would like the unit.
Softener hookups in Dixon, Vacaville and Davis
We install in Dixon and in Vacaville, where water hardness is similar. In Davis, the city's softer water means many homes need less treatment, so we talk through the hardness before recommending a unit. New fixtures are covered on our plumbing installation page.
Water softener questions from Dixon homes
The City of Dixon's 2024 report lists total hardness averaging 163 parts per million, about 9.5 grains per gallon, with a range of 130 to 190.
No. A softener treats hardness. For questions about chromium in the city's water, ask the City of Dixon water operations office at (707) 678-7050.
The City of Davis reported a weighted average of 66 parts per million in 2024, much lower than Dixon. Many Davis homes need less treatment, and the city suggests softener users adjust their units.
On the main supply after the meter and before the water heater, with a bypass valve and a drain connection nearby.
Scale on the tank bottom and heating surfaces is a known cause of wear, so reducing hardness helps. Flushing the tank on a schedule still matters.