Water hardness in Saint John East
19 mg/L soft
Tap water in Saint John East is soft: 19 mg/L (1.1 gpg · 1 °dH · 1.9 °fH).
Source: City of Saint John, Drinking-Water Systems Annual Report 2022 (2022) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 15–22 mg/L.
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Saint John East is supplied by the City of Saint John's Loch Lomond Water Treatment Plant. The 2022 annual report gives two treated-water results, 15 mg/L in March and 22 mg/L in September, as CaCO3, and the figure shown is the midpoint. Two samples are a thin basis. The water is very 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 | 19 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Saint John (Loch Lomond Water Treatment Plant) |
How Saint John East compares
- Tap water in Saint John East is 82 % softer than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 218 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 13 % of these cities have softer water.
- In New Brunswick it is number 2 of 4 cities; the regional median is 19 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Fredericton, 88 km away (120 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 Saint John East
| 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 Saint John East water hard or soft?
It is soft: 19 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.1 gpg, 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 Saint John East 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 Saint John East water?
1.1 gpg, equal to 1 °dH, 1.9 °fH or 19 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Saint John East?
For 19 mg/L (1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Saint John East?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Saint John, Drinking-Water Systems Annual Report 2022 (2022). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of Saint John, Drinking-Water Systems Annual Report 2022 · Outdated figure? Tell us