Water hardness in Saint John
19 mg/L soft
Tap water in Saint John 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's 2022 drinking water report lists treated-water hardness of 15 mg/L on 16 March and 22 mg/L on 13 September, as CaCO3. The table layout is hard to read and does not name the system, so the figure shown is the midpoint of those two results. The water is very soft. Scale is rarely a concern.
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 (drinking water system) |
How Saint John compares
- Tap water in Saint John 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
| 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 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 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 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?
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?
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