Water hardness in Tigard
1.9 gpg soft
Tap water in Tigard is soft: 1.9 gpg (33 mg/L · 1.8 °dH · 3.3 °fH).
Source: City of Tigard 2023 Annual Water Quality Report (Summer 2024 edition) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 3–60 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Most of year (main supply) | 0.3 | 6 | soft |
| Summer and emergency (ASR and native groundwater wells) | 3.5 | 60 | moderately hard |
Tigard's annual report says hardness is 3-8 ppm (under 0.5 gpg) for most of the year, which is very soft. In summer and emergencies the city also uses aquifer storage and native groundwater wells, at roughly 60 ppm according to the report. Both figures come from the report's narrative rather than a lab table, and the data is from 2023. Most of the year, scale is not a concern.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.9 gpg |
|---|
How Tigard compares
- Tap water in Tigard is 79 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1268 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 8 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Oregon it is number 8 of 13 cities; the regional median is 2.1 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Portland, 12 km away (2.6 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 Tigard
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °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 Tigard water hard or soft?
It is soft: 33 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.9 gpg, 1.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Tigard 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 Tigard water?
1.9 gpg, equal to 1.8 °dH, 3.3 °fH or 33 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Tigard?
For 33 mg/L (1.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Tigard?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Tigard 2023 Annual Water Quality Report (Summer 2024 edition) (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Tigard 2023 Annual Water Quality Report (Summer 2024 edition) · Outdated figure? Tell us