Water hardness in Blackfalds
215 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Blackfalds is very hard: 215 mg/L (12.6 gpg · 12.1 °dH · 21.5 °fH).
Source: City of Red Deer 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (Red Deer WTP proxy for Blackfalds) (2025) · data checked 2026-11-03
Regional indicative value, not measured in Blackfalds. We will replace it with the supplier's official figure.
Blackfalds buys treated water from the City of Red Deer plant through the North Red Deer River Water Services Commission. The 215.2 mg/L CaCO3 figure is Red Deer's 2025 reported value used as a regional proxy, not a measurement taken in Blackfalds. It is very hard water by our scale. Ask the Town for local results before you size a softener.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 215 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Town of Blackfalds (water from City of Red Deer WTP via North Red Deer River Water Services Commission) |
How Blackfalds compares
- Tap water in Blackfalds is 113 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 38 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 85 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Alberta it is number 4 of 14 cities; the regional median is 197 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Cochrane, 141 km away (166 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sylvan Lake, 22 km away (274 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Canada →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Blackfalds
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Blackfalds water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 215 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.6 gpg, 12.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Blackfalds safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
How many grains per gallon is Blackfalds water?
12.6 gpg, equal to 12.1 °dH, 21.5 °fH or 215 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Blackfalds?
For 215 mg/L (12.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Blackfalds?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of Red Deer 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (Red Deer WTP proxy for Blackfalds) (2025). Method: regional estimate — pending supplier confirmation. City of Red Deer 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (Red Deer WTP proxy for Blackfalds) · Outdated figure? Tell us