Water hardness in Vancouver
22 mg/L soft
Tap water in Vancouver is soft: 22 mg/L (1.3 gpg · 1.2 °dH · 2.2 °fH).
Source: Metro Vancouver (GVWD), 2023 Water Quality Annual Report - Volume 2 (2023) · data checked 2026-10-22
Range across supply zones: 18–25 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| mg/L | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Capilano source, treated water (GVWD) | 22 | 22 | soft |
| Seymour source, treated water (GVWD) | 22 | 22 | soft |
Vancouver is supplied by Metro Vancouver (GVWD) from mountain reservoirs on the North Shore, in granite-dominated catchments with very little dissolved calcium. The 2023 report gives about 21.7 mg/L as CaCO3 (18.1 to 25.0), a regional figure computed for the whole system. At this level scale is rare, and a softener adds little.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 22 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Vancouver (Metro Vancouver / GVWD supply) |
How Vancouver compares
- Tap water in Vancouver is 79 % softer than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 205 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 19 % of these cities have softer water.
- In British Columbia it is number 19 of 35 cities; the regional median is 22 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nanaimo, 60 km away (12 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Gibsons, 32 km away (46 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 Vancouver
| 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 Vancouver water hard or soft?
It is soft: 22 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.3 gpg, 1.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Vancouver 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 Vancouver water?
1.3 gpg, equal to 1.2 °dH, 2.2 °fH or 22 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Vancouver?
For 22 mg/L (1.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Vancouver?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Metro Vancouver (GVWD), 2023 Water Quality Annual Report - Volume 2 (2023). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Metro Vancouver (GVWD), 2023 Water Quality Annual Report - Volume 2 · Outdated figure? Tell us