Water hardness in Ingersoll
376 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Ingersoll is very hard: 376 mg/L (22 gpg · 21.1 °dH · 37.6 °fH).
Source: County of Oxford, Ingersoll Drinking Water System 2025 Annual Drinking Water System Summary Report (2025) · data checked 2026-11-03
Range across supply zones: 313–439 mg/L.
Ingersoll is on groundwater, and Oxford County's 2025 report gives a range of 313 to 439 mg/L as CaCO3 with no average. The figure shown is the midpoint, so treat it as approximate. The range comes from raw water, based on a historical running average and sampled at least every three years. The system does not soften, so tap water should be close, but it is not a tap measurement. Expect heavy scale.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 376 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | County of Oxford (Ingersoll Drinking Water System, DWS 220000692) |
How Ingersoll compares
- Tap water in Ingersoll is 271 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 8 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 97 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ontario it is number 7 of 120 cities; the regional median is 124 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Dorchester, 16 km away (265 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Stratford, 37 km away (489 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 Ingersoll
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 21 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Ingersoll water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 376 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22 gpg, 21.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ingersoll 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 Ingersoll water?
22 gpg, equal to 21.1 °dH, 37.6 °fH or 376 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ingersoll?
For 376 mg/L (21.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Ingersoll?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: County of Oxford, Ingersoll Drinking Water System 2025 Annual Drinking Water System Summary Report (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. County of Oxford, Ingersoll Drinking Water System 2025 Annual Drinking Water System Summary Report · Outdated figure? Tell us