Water hardness in Worthington
17 gpg very hard
Tap water in Worthington is very hard: 17 gpg (291 mg/L · 16.3 °dH · 29.1 °fH).
Source: Worthington Public Utilities chloride reduction program FAQ (Bolton & Menk for WPU) (2022) · data checked 2026-10-29
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Worthington Public Utilities is the water supplier. A 2022 FAQ on its chloride reduction program gives 291 mg/L, in the very hard band. The program is aimed at chloride from softener use, which is a reason to size any softener carefully. The figure is a single reported value.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 17 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Worthington Public Utilities |
How Worthington compares
- Tap water in Worthington is 88 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 272 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 80 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Minnesota it is number 10 of 23 cities; the regional median is 17 gpg.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Worthington
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Worthington water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 291 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17 gpg, 16.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Worthington 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 Worthington water?
17 gpg, equal to 16.3 °dH, 29.1 °fH or 291 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Worthington?
For 291 mg/L (16.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Worthington?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Worthington Public Utilities chloride reduction program FAQ (Bolton & Menk for WPU) (2022). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Worthington Public Utilities chloride reduction program FAQ (Bolton & Menk for WPU) · Outdated figure? Tell us