Water hardness in Moses Lake
6.3 gpg moderately hard
Tap water in Moses Lake is moderately hard: 6.3 gpg (108 mg/L · 6.1 °dH · 10.8 °fH).
Source: City of Moses Lake 2022 Water Quality Report (2022) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 16–208 mg/L.
6 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Central (Downtown, Peninsula, Westlake) | 3.9 | 67 | moderately hard |
| Knolls Vista | 4.2 | 72 | moderately hard |
| Lakeview | 12.1 | 208 | very hard |
| Larson (Grant County Airport) | 7.3 | 126 | hard |
| Montlake (below Division St) | 9.9 | 169 | hard |
| Wheeler Corridor | 5.3 | 91 | moderately hard |
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Moses Lake's 2022 water quality report covers six zones, with hardness from 16 to 208 mg/L as CaCO3 and a median of 108.2 mg/L. The spread between zones is large. Your result depends on which zone you are in, so look at the zone data rather than the median alone.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 6.3 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Moses Lake Water Division |
How Moses Lake compares
- Tap water in Moses Lake is 30 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 973 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 29 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Washington it is number 5 of 27 cities; the regional median is 2.8 gpg.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Moses Lake
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 6 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Moses Lake water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 108 mg/L as CaCO₃ (6.3 gpg, 6.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake water?
6.3 gpg, equal to 6.1 °dH, 10.8 °fH or 108 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Moses Lake?
For 108 mg/L (6.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Moses Lake?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: City of Moses Lake 2022 Water Quality Report (2022). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Moses Lake 2022 Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us