Water hardness in Sherwood Park
174 mg/L hard
Tap water in Sherwood Park is hard: 174 mg/L (10.2 gpg · 9.7 °dH · 17.4 °fH).
Source: EPCOR 2025 Edmonton Water Quality Annual Report (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 131–212 mg/L.
Strathcona County states that Sherwood Park's water is treated at the EPCOR E.L. Smith plant in Edmonton. Sherwood Park has no hardness report of its own, so we use EPCOR's 2025 Edmonton figure: an average of 173.9 mg/L as CaCO3, with results from 131 to 212 mg/L. It is a proxy and may differ at your tap. Scale on heating elements is common.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 174 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Strathcona County (water from EPCOR E.L. Smith plant) |
How Sherwood Park compares
- Tap water in Sherwood Park is 72 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 52 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 79 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Alberta it is number 11 of 14 cities; the regional median is 197 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Red Deer, 143 km away (229 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Canada →
What it means at home
- Fast scale on taps, shower screens and kettle; white spots on glassware.
- Water heater: efficiency loss and element failures within years if unprotected.
- Dry skin and dull hair after showering are common.
- Softener recommended; jug or reverse osmosis for drinking.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Recommended, especially with a heater or boiler: scale cuts efficiency and shortens its life.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 2 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Sherwood Park
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| Miele | 10 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Sherwood Park water hard or soft?
It is hard: 174 mg/L as CaCO₃ (10.2 gpg, 9.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Sherwood Park 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 Sherwood Park water?
10.2 gpg, equal to 9.7 °dH, 17.4 °fH or 174 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Sherwood Park?
For 174 mg/L (9.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Sherwood Park?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: EPCOR 2025 Edmonton Water Quality Annual Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. EPCOR 2025 Edmonton Water Quality Annual Report · Outdated figure? Tell us