Water hardness in Raleigh
1.5 gpg soft
Tap water in Raleigh is soft: 1.5 gpg (25 mg/L · 1.4 °dH · 2.5 °fH).
Source: City of Raleigh 2025 Annual Finished Water Quality Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 25–26 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| DE Benton water plant | 1.4 | 25 | soft |
| EM Johnson water plant | 1.5 | 26 | soft |
Raleigh draws most of its water from Falls Lake on the Neuse River, with supply also coming from Lake Benson and Lake Wheeler. These Piedmont reservoirs collect runoff from crystalline rock and soils that release few minerals, so hardness is a low 25.1 mg/L CaCO₃ (24.7–25.5 mg/L between the two supply zones). Scale is rarely a problem and a softener adds little.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.5 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department |
How Raleigh compares
- Tap water in Raleigh is 84 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1300 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 5 % of these cities have softer water.
- In North Carolina it is number 8 of 15 cities; the regional median is 1.5 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Winston-Salem, 149 km away (1 gpg).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Apex, 20 km away (1.9 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 Raleigh
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °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 Raleigh water hard or soft?
It is soft: 25 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.5 gpg, 1.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Raleigh 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 Raleigh water?
1.5 gpg, equal to 1.4 °dH, 2.5 °fH or 25 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Raleigh?
For 25 mg/L (1.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Raleigh?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Raleigh 2025 Annual Finished Water Quality Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Raleigh 2025 Annual Finished Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us