Water hardness in Henderson
16.6 gpg very hard
Tap water in Henderson is very hard: 16.6 gpg (285 mg/L · 16 °dH · 28.5 °fH).
Source: Nevada Drinking Water Watch, chemical sample results, system NV0000076 (2022-02) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 269–288 mg/L.
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
The Henderson figure comes from Nevada's Drinking Water Watch portal, which lists lab results for the City of Henderson system. It rests on 5 samples from 2020 to 2022: a median of 285 mg/L as CaCO3 (16.6 gpg), with a range of 269.2 to 287.6 mg/L. The supply is Colorado River water, which is very hard. Scale builds quickly on heaters and fixtures.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 16.6 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Henderson City Of |
How Henderson compares
- Tap water in Henderson is 84 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 282 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 79 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nevada it is number 1 of 4 cities; the regional median is 15.9 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 Henderson
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Henderson water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 285 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.6 gpg, 16 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Henderson 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 Henderson water?
16.6 gpg, equal to 16 °dH, 28.5 °fH or 285 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Henderson?
For 285 mg/L (16 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Henderson?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Nevada Drinking Water Watch, chemical sample results, system NV0000076 (2022-02). Method: own measurement. Nevada Drinking Water Watch, chemical sample results, system NV0000076 · Outdated figure? Tell us