Water hardness in Woodstock
392 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Woodstock is very hard: 392 mg/L (22.9 gpg · 22 °dH · 39.2 °fH).
Source: Oxford County, Woodstock Drinking Water System Annual Report 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 269–515 mg/L.
Oxford County's 2025 report for the Woodstock system gives a hardness range of 269 to 515 mg/L as CaCO3, based on a historical running average of raw well water sampled about every three years. No single average is printed, so the figure shown is the midpoint of that range (392 mg/L). The water is very hard, and a softener is a common choice here.
Health Canada: hardness above 200 mg/L is considered poor but tolerable; above 500 mg/L unacceptable.
Water data
| Total hardness | 392 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Oxford County Public Works (Woodstock Drinking Water System) |
How Woodstock compares
- Tap water in Woodstock is 287 % harder than the median of the 254 cities we track in Canada (101 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 7 of 254 in Canada (1 = hardest); 98 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ontario it is number 6 of 120 cities; the regional median is 124 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Tillsonburg, 30 km away (296 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Elora, 66 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 Woodstock
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 22 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Woodstock water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 392 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.9 gpg, 22 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Woodstock 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 Woodstock water?
22.9 gpg, equal to 22 °dH, 39.2 °fH or 392 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Woodstock?
For 392 mg/L (22 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Woodstock?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Oxford County, Woodstock Drinking Water System Annual Report 2025 (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Oxford County, Woodstock Drinking Water System Annual Report 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us