Water hardness in Maryborough
107 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Maryborough is moderately hard: 107 mg/L (6.2 gpg · 6 °dH · 10.7 °fH).
Source: Fraser Coast Regional Council (Wide Bay Water) DWQMP Annual Report 2024-25 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-05
Range across supply zones: 89–201 mg/L.
Maryborough is served by Fraser Coast Regional Council (Wide Bay Water), which reports 106.6 mg/L CaCO₃ for 2024-25. Results run from 89.0 to 201.0 mg/L, so some samples are well above the median. This is harder than neighbouring Hervey Bay on the same utility, and scale on kettles and hot water systems builds up faster.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: aesthetic target ≤ 200 mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 107 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Fraser Coast Regional Council (Wide Bay Water) |
How Maryborough compares
- Tap water in Maryborough is 25 % harder than the median of the 307 cities we track in Australia (85 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 91 of 307 in Australia (1 = hardest); 71 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Queensland it is number 5 of 29 cities; the regional median is 68 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Hervey Bay, 29 km away (59 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Kingaroy, 141 km away (173 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 Maryborough
| 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 Maryborough water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 107 mg/L as CaCO₃ (6.2 gpg, 6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Maryborough 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 Maryborough water?
6.2 gpg, equal to 6 °dH, 10.7 °fH or 107 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Maryborough?
For 107 mg/L (6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Maryborough?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Fraser Coast Regional Council (Wide Bay Water) DWQMP Annual Report 2024-25 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Fraser Coast Regional Council (Wide Bay Water) DWQMP Annual Report 2024-25 · Outdated figure? Tell us