Is Oregon tap water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 8 % of the 13 cities with published data in Oregon have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 2.1 gpg, from 1 gpg in Eugene to 7.5 gpg in Prineville.
We have published hardness data for 13 cities in Oregon. The median is 2.1 gpg; the hardest water is in Prineville (7.5 gpg), the softest in Eugene (1 gpg).
8 % of these cities have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L).
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Cities in Oregon, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Prineville | 7.5 | 129 | hard |
| Troutdale | 5 | 86 | moderately hard |
| Gresham | 4.8 | 83 | moderately hard |
| Baker City | 3.5 | 60 | moderately hard |
| Portland | 2.6 | 45 | soft |
| Beaverton | 2.2 | 39 | soft |
| West Linn | 2.1 | 36 | soft |
| Tigard | 1.9 | 33 | soft |
| Central Point | 1.9 | 33 | soft |
| Medford | 1.9 | 32 | soft |
| Lake Oswego | 1.5 | 25 | soft |
| Oregon City | 1.4 | 24 | soft |
| Eugene | 1 | 17 | soft |
FAQ
Is Oregon water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 8 % of the 13 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 2.1 gpg.
Which city in Oregon has the hardest water?
Prineville, at 7.5 gpg, has the hardest water of the 13 cities with published data.
Which city in Oregon has the softest water?
Eugene, at 1 gpg, has the softest water of the 13 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Oregon?
Above about 120 mg/L (7 gpg) scale builds up in water heaters, kettles and dishwashers, and a softener or at least regular descaling pays off. Look up your own city in the table: in Oregon the values range from 1 gpg to 7.5 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in Oregon by county →