Water hardness in Walkerton
363 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Walkerton is very hard: 363 mg/L (21.2 gpg · 20.3 °dH · 36.3 °fH).
Source: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Drinking Water Surveillance Program, Open Government Licence – Ontario (2015) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 348–418 mg/L.
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 363 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Walkerton Drinking Water System |
How Walkerton compares
- Tap water in Walkerton is 258 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 10 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 96 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ontario it is number 9 of 120 cities; the regional median is 124 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Port Elgin, 39 km away (97 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Elora, 76 km away (519 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 Walkerton
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 20 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Walkerton water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 363 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.2 gpg, 20.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Walkerton 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 Walkerton water?
21.2 gpg, equal to 20.3 °dH, 36.3 °fH or 363 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Walkerton?
For 363 mg/L (20.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Walkerton?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Drinking Water Surveillance Program, Open Government Licence – Ontario (2015). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Drinking Water Surveillance Program, Open Government Licence – Ontario · Outdated figure? Tell us