Water hardness in Gympie
73 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Gympie is moderately hard: 73 mg/L (4.3 gpg · 4.1 °dH · 7.3 °fH).
Source: Gympie Regional Council, Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2024/2025 (SP485), Table 15 Gympie Water - Operational monitoring (2025) · data checked 2026-11-05
Range across supply zones: 28–112 mg/L.
Gympie Regional Council's 2024-25 drinking water report gives 73.0 mg/L CaCO₃ for Gympie, with operational results from 28.0 to 112.0 mg/L. The council runs several separate schemes, so the figure comes from the Gympie water tables only and a nearby town may differ. At this level, scale is mild and regular descaling is usually enough.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: aesthetic target ≤ 200 mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 73 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Gympie Regional Council |
How Gympie compares
- Tap water in Gympie is 14 % softer than the median of the 307 cities we track in Australia (85 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 168 of 307 in Australia (1 = hardest); 45 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Queensland it is number 11 of 29 cities; the regional median is 68 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nambour, 57 km away (58 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Maryborough, 72 km away (107 mg/L).
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 Gympie
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| 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 Gympie water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 73 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.3 gpg, 4.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Gympie 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 Gympie water?
4.3 gpg, equal to 4.1 °dH, 7.3 °fH or 73 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Gympie?
For 73 mg/L (4.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Gympie?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Gympie Regional Council, Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2024/2025 (SP485), Table 15 Gympie Water - Operational monitoring (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Gympie Regional Council, Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2024/2025 (SP485), Table 15 Gympie Water - Operational monitoring · Outdated figure? Tell us