Edmonton's water comes from the North Saskatchewan River and is treated by EPCOR at the E.L. Smith and Rossdale plants. Its hardness typically sits around 120–185 mg/L as calcium carbonate, about 7–11 grains per gallon, varying with the season. That's in the "hard" range.
What "hard water" means
| Hardness | mg/L (as CaCO₃) | Grains per gallon |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0 – 60 | 0 – 3.5 |
| Moderately hard | 61 – 120 | 3.5 – 7 |
| Hard | 121 – 180 | 7 – 10.5 |
| Very hard | 180+ | 10.5+ |
Hardness is mostly dissolved calcium and magnesium. It's not a health concern, but when water is heated, those minerals come out as scale.
What hard water does to your plumbing
- Hot water tanks: scale settles at the bottom, insulating the water from the burner. The tank works longer, makes popping or rumbling noises and wears out sooner.
- Tankless water heaters: scale builds up in the heat exchanger, causing error codes and reduced flow. Annual descaling is essential in Edmonton.
- Faucets and showers: crusty aerators and shower heads, sticking cartridges, spotty glass.
- Appliances: dishwashers and washing machines lose efficiency, and kettles scale up fast.
What you can do
Without a softener
- Flush your hot water tank once a year to remove sediment.
- Have the tank's anode rod checked every 3–4 years.
- Descale tankless units annually.
- Soak aerators and shower heads in vinegar to remove scale.
With a water softener
A properly sized water softener removes the hardness minerals for the whole house, protecting your water heater, fixtures and appliances. Many households pair it with a reverse osmosis system for drinking water.
What about lead?
A small number of older Edmonton homes, mostly built before the 1950s, still have a lead water service line. EPCOR has a lead mitigation program, including replacing lead service lines and adding orthophosphate to the water to reduce lead release. If you own an older home and aren't sure what your service line is made of, contact EPCOR about testing and replacement.