Water hardness in Norfolk County
216 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Norfolk County is very hard: 216 mg/L (12.6 gpg · 12.1 °dH · 21.6 °fH).
Source: Norfolk County, Drinking Water - average hardness in each distribution system (2026) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 111–294 mg/L.
5 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| mg/L | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi and Courtland | 232 | 232 | very hard |
| Port Dover | 134 | 134 | hard |
| Port Rowan | 111 | 111 | moderately hard |
| Simcoe | 294 | 294 | very hard |
| Waterford | 216 | 216 | very hard |
Norfolk County lists average hardness for each municipal system: Simcoe 294.0, Delhi and Courtland 231.9, Waterford 216.0, Port Dover 134.3 and Port Rowan 111.3 mg/L. The page shows a median across these zones, so your town's figure may be quite different. The table prints no year, so we date it to 2026. This page covers municipal supply, not private wells.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 216 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Norfolk County Water Services |
How Norfolk County compares
- Tap water in Norfolk County is 113 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 36 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 86 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ontario it is number 31 of 120 cities; the regional median is 124 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Dunnville, 63 km away (133 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Simcoe, 7 km away (290 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 Norfolk County
| 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 Norfolk County water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 216 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 Norfolk County 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 Norfolk County water?
12.6 gpg, equal to 12.1 °dH, 21.6 °fH or 216 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Norfolk County?
For 216 mg/L (12.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Norfolk County?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Norfolk County, Drinking Water - average hardness in each distribution system (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Norfolk County, Drinking Water - average hardness in each distribution system · Outdated figure? Tell us