Water hardness in Holly Springs
2.3 gpg soft
Tap water in Holly Springs is soft: 2.3 gpg (40 mg/L · 2.2 °dH · 4 °fH).
Source: Town of Holly Springs – Drinking Water page (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 30–50 mg/L.
Holly Springs buys treated water from the Harnett County Regional Water plant, which draws on the Cape Fear River. The town's drinking water page gives a range of 30 to 50 mg/L, and we compute a median of 40 mg/L. This is soft water, so scale is light and a softener is rarely needed.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 2.3 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Town of Holly Springs (water from Harnett County Regional Water plant, Cape Fear River) |
How Holly Springs compares
- Tap water in Holly Springs is 74 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1245 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 9 % of these cities have softer water.
- In North Carolina it is number 2 of 15 cities; the regional median is 1.5 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 Holly Springs
| 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 Holly Springs water hard or soft?
It is soft: 40 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2.3 gpg, 2.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs water?
2.3 gpg, equal to 2.2 °dH, 4 °fH or 40 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Holly Springs?
For 40 mg/L (2.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Holly Springs?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Town of Holly Springs – Drinking Water page (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Town of Holly Springs – Drinking Water page · Outdated figure? Tell us