Water hardness in Oak Bay
17 mg/L soft
Tap water in Oak Bay is soft: 17 mg/L (1 gpg · 0.9 °dH · 1.7 °fH).
Source: CRD 2024 Greater Victoria Drinking Water Quality Annual Report (2024) · data checked 2026-11-02
Oak Bay is part of the Capital Regional District's Greater Victoria system, which is fed from the Sooke Lake Reservoir. The figure of 16.9 mg/L as CaCO3 is the CRD's 2024 regional median for treated water in the transmission mains. It is not a measurement taken inside Oak Bay. The water is very soft, so scale is rarely a problem.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 17 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Capital Regional District (Greater Victoria system) |
How Oak Bay compares
- Tap water in Oak Bay is 83 % softer than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 228 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 10 % of these cities have softer water.
- In British Columbia it is number 33 of 35 cities; the regional median is 22 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nanaimo, 92 km away (12 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Delta, 73 km away (22 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 Oak Bay
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °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 Oak Bay water hard or soft?
It is soft: 17 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1 gpg, 0.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Oak Bay 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 Oak Bay water?
1 gpg, equal to 0.9 °dH, 1.7 °fH or 17 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Oak Bay?
For 17 mg/L (0.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Oak Bay?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: CRD 2024 Greater Victoria Drinking Water Quality Annual Report (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. CRD 2024 Greater Victoria Drinking Water Quality Annual Report · Outdated figure? Tell us