Water hardness in Southern Pines
0.6 gpg soft
Tap water in Southern Pines is soft: 0.6 gpg (10 mg/L · 0.5 °dH · 0.9 °fH).
Source: Town of Southern Pines Annual Water Quality Report 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 5–18 mg/L.
The Town of Southern Pines Water Plant reports a median hardness of 9.5 mg/L in its 2025 annual report, with a range of 4.6 to 18.2 mg/L. That is very soft. Scale is negligible, 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 | 0.6 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Town of Southern Pines Water Plant |
How Southern Pines compares
- Tap water in Southern Pines is 94 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1363 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 1 % of these cities have softer water.
- In North Carolina it is number 14 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 Southern Pines
| 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 Southern Pines water hard or soft?
It is soft: 10 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.6 gpg, 0.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Southern Pines 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 Southern Pines water?
0.6 gpg, equal to 0.5 °dH, 0.9 °fH or 10 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Southern Pines?
For 10 mg/L (0.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Southern Pines?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Town of Southern Pines Annual Water Quality Report 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Town of Southern Pines Annual Water Quality Report 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us