Water hardness in Caledon
283 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Caledon is very hard: 283 mg/L (16.5 gpg · 15.8 °dH · 28.3 °fH).
Source: Region of Peel Palgrave and Caledon East water quality report 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 240–360 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| mg/L | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Caledon East | 320 | 320 | very hard |
| Palgrave | 245 | 245 | very hard |
Caledon has separate groundwater systems. The Region of Peel's 2025 report gives 280 to 360 mg/L as CaCO3 for Caledon East and 240 to 250 mg/L for Palgrave, from treated grab samples. Other parts of Caledon, such as the south, are on a different system, so check which one serves you. At these levels, hard water scale is common and many households use softeners.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 283 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Region of Peel (Caledon East well system) |
How Caledon compares
- Tap water in Caledon is 179 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 25 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 91 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ontario it is number 24 of 120 cities; the regional median is 124 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bolton, 21 km away (125 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Erin, 12 km away (369 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 Caledon
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Caledon water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 283 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.5 gpg, 15.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Caledon 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 Caledon water?
16.5 gpg, equal to 15.8 °dH, 28.3 °fH or 283 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Caledon?
For 283 mg/L (15.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Caledon?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Region of Peel Palgrave and Caledon East water quality report 2025 (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Region of Peel Palgrave and Caledon East water quality report 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us