Water hardness in North Battleford
224 mg/L very hard
Tap water in North Battleford is very hard: 224 mg/L (13.1 gpg · 12.5 °dH · 22.4 °fH).
Source: City of North Battleford 2025 Drinking Water Quality Annual Report (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 170–278 mg/L.
North Battleford's 2025 drinking water report lists total hardness results from 170 to 278 mg/L across the city's two treatment plants. The report does not make clear which results belong to which plant, so the figure shown is the midpoint of that range. Expect scale on kettles, water heaters and fixtures.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 224 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of North Battleford (WTP #1 and FEH WTP #2) |
How North Battleford compares
- Tap water in North Battleford is 121 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 34 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 87 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Saskatchewan it is number 2 of 7 cities; the regional median is 190 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Lloydminster, 128 km away (175 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 North Battleford
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °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 North Battleford water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 224 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13.1 gpg, 12.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in North Battleford 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 North Battleford water?
13.1 gpg, equal to 12.5 °dH, 22.4 °fH or 224 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in North Battleford?
For 224 mg/L (12.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in North Battleford?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of North Battleford 2025 Drinking Water Quality Annual Report (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of North Battleford 2025 Drinking Water Quality Annual Report · Outdated figure? Tell us