Alberta

Edmonton water hardness

EPCOR's treatment plants supply Edmonton's tap water. From January to November 2025, total hardness averaged 173 mg/L across 666 samples, with a range of 131 to 212 mg/L. Winter is the hardest stretch: February 2025 averaged 194.5 mg/L.

Data last reviewed October 17, 2026.

EPCOR treatment plants

173 mg/L as CaCO₃ Hard
  • Average
  • Range: 131 to 212 mg/L
  • 666 samples
  • Seasonal peak February 2025: average 194.5 mg/L (174 to 212) (source)

In other units

US grains per gallon
10.1
Imperial grains per gallon
12.1
German degrees (°dH)
9.7
Millimoles per litre
1.73

Source: EPCOR, Edmonton water quality monthly summary, November 2025 (PDF). Data for: January to November 2025. Checked October 13, 2026.

What this means for your appliances

Hard

Expect scale in your coffee maker and kettle, and a white film on glasses. Descale the coffee maker and ice machine regularly, and clean the dishwasher and the washer about every two weeks.

Recommended for your water

Coffee Maker Cleaner

4.8(14)

Removes limescale, mineral buildup and coffee oils inside your coffee maker.

Descales for better-tasting coffee

$24.95

Dishwasher Cleaner

5.0(15)

Dissolves grease, detergent residue and limescale buildup, and removes odour-causing buildup.

Clears grease, limescale and odour buildup

$23.95

Washing Machine Cleaner

4.9(14)

Breaks down residue and odour-causing buildup inside your washer.

Removes odour and buildup from the drum and hoses

$24.95

Ice Machine Cleaner

4.9(13)

Removes mineral buildup and odours inside your ice machine.

Descales and freshens countertop ice makers

$24.95

Guides for hard water

What counts as hard water?

We use the U.S. Geological Survey scale, in mg/L as CaCO₃.

  • Soft 0 to 60 mg/L
  • Moderately hard 61 to 120 mg/L
  • Hard 121 to 180 mg/L
  • Very hard Over 180 mg/L

How to read the units

Utilities usually report hardness in mg/L as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which is the same as ppm. Dishwasher and softener manuals often use grains per gallon or German degrees instead. Here is how they convert:

  • 1 US grain per gallon = 17.1 mg/L
  • 1 imperial grain per gallon = 14.25 mg/L
  • 1 °dH = 17.85 mg/L
  • 1 mmol/L = 100.09 mg/L

Questions and answers

Is Edmonton water hard?

Yes. EPCOR's results averaged 173 mg/L from January to November 2025, which is hard. Some winter samples reached 212 mg/L, in the very hard range.

Which month has the hardest water in Edmonton?

February was the hardest month in 2025, with an average of 194.5 mg/L and samples from 174 to 212 mg/L.

What is Edmonton's water hardness in grains per gallon?

EPCOR treatment plants: 10.1 grains per US gallon, or 12.1 grains per imperial gallon.

Where do these numbers come from?

EPCOR, Edmonton water quality monthly summary, November 2025 (PDF). Data for January to November 2025. We update this page when a new report comes out.

Sources

Check another city