Water hardness in Kamloops
40 mg/L soft
Tap water in Kamloops is soft: 40 mg/L (2.3 gpg · 2.2 °dH · 4 °fH).
Source: City of Kamloops 2025 Drinking Water Annual Report (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 37–43 mg/L.
The City of Kamloops 2025 drinking water report gives monthly hardness averages of 37 to 43 mg/L as CaCO3 in the distribution reservoirs. No single annual mean is printed for treated water, so the figure shown is the midpoint of that range. This is soft water. Scale builds up slowly and a softener adds little.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 40 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Kamloops (KCWQ) |
How Kamloops compares
- Tap water in Kamloops is 60 % softer than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 178 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 30 % of these cities have softer water.
- In British Columbia it is number 15 of 35 cities; the regional median is 22 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Vernon, 86 km away (173 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Canada →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Kamloops
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Kamloops water hard or soft?
It is soft: 40 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2.3 gpg, 2.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Kamloops 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 Kamloops water?
2.3 gpg, equal to 2.2 °dH, 4 °fH or 40 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Kamloops?
For 40 mg/L (2.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Kamloops?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Kamloops 2025 Drinking Water Annual Report (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of Kamloops 2025 Drinking Water Annual Report · Outdated figure? Tell us