Water hardness in Adelaide
114 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Adelaide is moderately hard: 114 mg/L (6.7 gpg · 6.4 °dH · 11.4 °fH).
Source: SA Water, Your drinking water profile (water quality performance data to 30/09/2026) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 85–139 mg/L.
8 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| mg/L | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Anstey Hill (supplying north eastern Adelaide) | 85 | 85 | moderately hard |
| Barossa (supplying Gawler and surrounds) | 139 | 139 | hard |
| Central metro Adelaide suburbs | 111 | 111 | moderately hard |
| Eastern metro Adelaide suburbs | 116 | 116 | moderately hard |
| Myponga metro (supplying outer southern Adelaide) | 134 | 134 | hard |
| Northern metro Adelaide suburbs | 112 | 112 | moderately hard |
| Southern metro Adelaide suburbs | 109 | 109 | moderately hard |
| Western metro Adelaide suburbs | 118 | 118 | moderately hard |
Adelaide's supply combines River Murray water, Mount Lofty Ranges reservoirs and desalinated seawater, in proportions that vary with rainfall. The figure shown, 114.0 mg/L CaCO₃, is the median across 8 supply zones, which range from 85.0 to 139.0 mg/L, so it depends on which zone your street is in. Limescale appears gradually on taps and heating elements; occasional descaling keeps it in check.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: aesthetic target ≤ 200 mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 114 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | SA Water |
How Adelaide compares
- Tap water in Adelaide is 34 % harder than the median of the 307 cities we track in Australia (85 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 82 of 307 in Australia (1 = hardest); 74 % of these cities have softer water.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Australia →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Adelaide
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 6 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Adelaide water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 114 mg/L as CaCO₃ (6.7 gpg, 6.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Adelaide safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: aesthetic target ≤ 200 mg/L CaCO₃.
How many grains per gallon is Adelaide water?
6.7 gpg, equal to 6.4 °dH, 11.4 °fH or 114 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Adelaide?
For 114 mg/L (6.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Adelaide?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: SA Water, Your drinking water profile (water quality performance data to 30/09/2026) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. SA Water, Your drinking water profile (water quality performance data to 30/09/2026) · Outdated figure? Tell us