Water hardness in Lincoln
11.2 gpg very hard
Tap water in Lincoln is very hard: 11.2 gpg (192 mg/L · 10.8 °dH · 19.2 °fH).
Source: Lincoln Water System 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-19
The Lincoln Water System's 2025 report gives total hardness of 192 mg/L, or 11.2 gpg. The printed range does not match its own grains-per-gallon range, so we do not show one. This is very hard water. Scale builds fast on heaters, and a softener is worth considering.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 11.2 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Lincoln Water System (LWS) |
How Lincoln compares
- Tap water in Lincoln is 24 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 553 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 59 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nebraska it is number 2 of 4 cities; the regional median is 10.3 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 Lincoln
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Lincoln water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 192 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.2 gpg, 10.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Lincoln 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 Lincoln water?
11.2 gpg, equal to 10.8 °dH, 19.2 °fH or 192 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Lincoln?
For 192 mg/L (10.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Lincoln?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Lincoln Water System 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Lincoln Water System 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us