Water hardness in Tillsonburg
296 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Tillsonburg is very hard: 296 mg/L (17.3 gpg · 16.6 °dH · 29.6 °fH).
Source: Oxford County, Tillsonburg Drinking Water System Annual Report 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 235–356 mg/L.
Tillsonburg is supplied from groundwater by Oxford County. The county's 2025 annual report gives a range of 235 to 356 mg/L and no average, so the figure shown is the midpoint of that range. The range comes from raw well water, based on a historical running average and sampled every few years, and it is not a tap measurement. Treat it as approximate. Hard groundwater like this usually leaves visible scale.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 296 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Oxford County Public Works (Tillsonburg Drinking Water System) |
How Tillsonburg compares
- Tap water in Tillsonburg is 192 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 23 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 91 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ontario it is number 22 of 120 cities; the regional median is 124 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Norfolk County, 28 km away (216 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ingersoll, 23 km away (376 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Canada →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Tillsonburg
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 17 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Tillsonburg water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 296 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17.3 gpg, 16.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Tillsonburg 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 Tillsonburg water?
17.3 gpg, equal to 16.6 °dH, 29.6 °fH or 296 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Tillsonburg?
For 296 mg/L (16.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Tillsonburg?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Oxford County, Tillsonburg Drinking Water System Annual Report 2025 (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Oxford County, Tillsonburg Drinking Water System Annual Report 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us