Saskatchewan

Saskatoon water hardness

The City of Saskatoon's 2023 year-end summary reports treated water at 177 mg/L of hardness. That is hard water, close to the 180 mg/L line where very hard begins. Raw water, before treatment, measured 187 mg/L. This is the latest year-end figure from the City that we could verify.

Data last reviewed October 17, 2026.

City of Saskatoon treated water

177 mg/L as CaCO₃ Hard
  • Average

In other units

US grains per gallon
10.4
Imperial grains per gallon
12.4
German degrees (°dH)
9.9
Millimoles per litre
1.77

Source: City of Saskatoon, 2023 Year End Summary Report (PDF). Data for: 2023, year-end summary. 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 Saskatoon water hard?

Yes. The City of Saskatoon's 2023 year-end summary reports treated water at 177 mg/L, which is hard and close to the 180 mg/L line for very hard water.

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

City of Saskatoon treated water: 10.4 grains per US gallon, or 12.4 grains per imperial gallon.

Where do these numbers come from?

City of Saskatoon, 2023 Year End Summary Report (PDF). Data for 2023, year-end summary. We update this page when a new report comes out.

Sources

Check another city