Water hardness in Great Bend
22.5 gpg very hard
Tap water in Great Bend is very hard: 22.5 gpg (385 mg/L · 21.6 °dH · 38.5 °fH).
Source: City of Great Bend - Consumer Confidence Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 360–410 mg/L.
The City of Great Bend reports a computed hardness of 385 mg/L, with a range of 360 to 410 mg/L, in its consumer confidence report. That is very hard water, and the narrow range suggests it stays steady. Scale in heaters and on glass is likely. A softener is a common response.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 22.5 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Great Bend Water Division |
How Great Bend compares
- Tap water in Great Bend is 148 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 71 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 95 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Kansas it is number 2 of 17 cities; the regional median is 8.4 gpg.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
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 Great Bend
| 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 Great Bend water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 385 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.5 gpg, 21.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Great Bend 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 Great Bend water?
22.5 gpg, equal to 21.6 °dH, 38.5 °fH or 385 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Great Bend?
For 385 mg/L (21.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Great Bend?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of Great Bend - Consumer Confidence Report (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of Great Bend - Consumer Confidence Report · Outdated figure? Tell us