Water hardness in Athens-Clarke County
2 gpg soft
Tap water in Athens-Clarke County is soft: 2 gpg (34 mg/L · 1.9 °dH · 3.4 °fH).
Source: Athens-Clarke County, Routine Tap Water Analysis, Third Quarter 2025 (report 9/8/2025-01) (2025-09) · data checked 2026-10-29
Athens-Clarke County Utilities lists total hardness of 34 mg/L (2.0 gpg) in its third-quarter 2025 routine tap analysis. That is one sample from September 2025, not an annual average, so treat it as a snapshot. At this level the water is soft and scale is rarely a problem.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 2 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Athens-Clarke County Utilities (Public Utilities Department) |
How Athens-Clarke County compares
- Tap water in Athens-Clarke County is 78 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1259 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 8 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Georgia it is number 1 of 9 cities; the regional median is 2 gpg.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
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 Athens-Clarke County
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °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 Athens-Clarke County water hard or soft?
It is soft: 34 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2 gpg, 1.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Athens-Clarke County safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Athens-Clarke County water?
2 gpg, equal to 1.9 °dH, 3.4 °fH or 34 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Athens-Clarke County?
For 34 mg/L (1.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Athens-Clarke County?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Athens-Clarke County, Routine Tap Water Analysis, Third Quarter 2025 (report 9/8/2025-01) (2025-09). Method: own measurement. Athens-Clarke County, Routine Tap Water Analysis, Third Quarter 2025 (report 9/8/2025-01) · Outdated figure? Tell us