Water hardness in Port Alberni
46 mg/L soft
Tap water in Port Alberni is soft: 46 mg/L (2.7 gpg · 2.6 °dH · 4.6 °fH).
Source: City of Port Alberni Finished Water Quality Parameters - annual averages to end of 2024 (2024) · data checked 2026-11-02
The City of Port Alberni publishes annual averages for its finished water. The average for 2024 is 46.39 mg/L as CaCO3. The same sheet gives a typical range of 16 to 60 mg/L, but that is a design range and is not used here. The water is soft, and scale is minor.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 46 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Port Alberni Engineering Dept |
How Port Alberni compares
- Tap water in Port Alberni is 54 % softer than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 173 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 32 % of these cities have softer water.
- In British Columbia it is number 13 of 35 cities; the regional median is 22 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Comox, 50 km away (18 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Nanoose Bay, 44 km away (93 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 Port Alberni
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 3 °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 Port Alberni water hard or soft?
It is soft: 46 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2.7 gpg, 2.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Port Alberni 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 Port Alberni water?
2.7 gpg, equal to 2.6 °dH, 4.6 °fH or 46 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Port Alberni?
For 46 mg/L (2.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Port Alberni?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Port Alberni Finished Water Quality Parameters - annual averages to end of 2024 (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Port Alberni Finished Water Quality Parameters - annual averages to end of 2024 · Outdated figure? Tell us