Water hardness in Saint John West
19 mg/L soft
Tap water in Saint John West 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 West is shown with the City of Saint John's 2022 annual report, which gives two treated-water results: 15 mg/L in March and 22 mg/L in September, as CaCO3. The figure shown is the midpoint. We could not confirm from the report itself that the west side is on the Loch Lomond plant, so treat this as the city's water rather than a west-side sample. The water is very soft.
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 West compares
- Tap water in Saint John West 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, 89 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 West
| 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 West 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 West 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 West 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 West?
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 West?
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