Water hardness in Wake Forest
1.5 gpg soft
Tap water in Wake Forest is soft: 1.5 gpg (25 mg/L · 1.4 °dH · 2.5 °fH).
Source: City of Raleigh Water 2025 Annual 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| DEB Water Plant (Raleigh system) | 1.4 | 25 | soft |
| EMJ Water Plant (Raleigh system) | 1.5 | 26 | soft |
Wake Forest is supplied by the City of Raleigh's water system, and no Wake Forest-specific hardness report was found. Raleigh's 2025 report lists 25.5 mg/L at the EMJ plant and 24.7 mg/L at the DEB plant (about 1.4-1.5 gpg), and it does not say which plant serves Wake Forest. Either way the water is soft, so scale is rarely an issue.
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 | Town of Wake Forest (supplied by City of Raleigh Public Utilities / Raleigh Water) |
How Wake Forest compares
- Tap water in Wake Forest 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 harder water: Apex, 41 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 Wake Forest
| 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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest?
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 Wake Forest?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Raleigh Water 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Raleigh Water 2025 Annual Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us