Water hardness in Calgary
199 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Calgary is very hard: 199 mg/L (11.6 gpg · 11.1 °dH · 19.9 °fH).
Source: City of Calgary Water Services, Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant Summary 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 141–274 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| mg/L | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bearspaw WTP (north, Bow River) | 174 | 174 | hard |
| Glenmore WTP (south, Elbow River) | 224 | 224 | very hard |
Calgary has two supply zones. The Bearspaw plant (Bow River, north) averaged 174 mg/L in 2025, with a range of 141 to 200. The Glenmore plant (Elbow River, south) averaged 224 mg/L, with a range of 181 to 274. The city figure of 199 mg/L is the median of the two supply zones, so your tap may be softer or harder depending on which plant serves your area. Scale is a common household issue.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 199 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Calgary Water Services |
How Calgary compares
- Tap water in Calgary is 97 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 46 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 82 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Alberta it is number 7 of 14 cities; the regional median is 197 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: High River, 54 km away (262 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 Calgary
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °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 Calgary water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 199 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.6 gpg, 11.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Calgary 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 Calgary water?
11.6 gpg, equal to 11.1 °dH, 19.9 °fH or 199 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Calgary?
For 199 mg/L (11.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Calgary?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of Calgary Water Services, Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant Summary 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Calgary Water Services, Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant Summary 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us