Gordon Head Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~0–59 mg/L
Softestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
80.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.08
energy & soap waste
Source: Health Canada Water Quality · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Gordon Head, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gordon Head | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -4% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 14.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -4% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gordon Head compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Mineralization | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gordon Head, British Columbia | ≈ 0–59 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
| Shelbourne, British Columbia | ≈ 180+ mg/L | Very High | 🔴 Very Hard |
| Oak Bay, British Columbia | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
| Victoria, British Columbia | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
| Fernwood, British Columbia | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
National Benchmark
How Gordon Head compares to the Canada average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gordon Head | ≈ 0–59 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| Canada National Avg | 140 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Vancouver Top Rated | 3 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gordon Head's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Capital Regional District supplies Gordon Head with drinking water through the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area. The primary source is the Sooke Lake Reservoir, supplemented by the Leech River and the Goldstream system. Water undergoes treatment at facilities like the Sooke Lake Intake screening facility, Craigflower Water Treatment Plant, and the Japan Gulch facility before reaching over 300,000 residents via an extensive pipeline network. This protected Sooke Watershed relies on rainfall for its supply, with no significant aquifers being utilized.
The region's geology is characterized by granitic batholiths, volcanic flows, and glacial deposits from the Fraser Glaciation. Underlying this are Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Sooke Volcanics Group and Cretaceous sedimentary formations. These non-calcareous rock types dissolve very little into the surface water, resulting in exceptionally soft water with a low mineral content.
Because the water is so soft, you'll notice soap lathers easily and there's virtually no scale buildup on pipes, kettles, or appliances, which can extend the life of your water heater and fixtures. Spotting on glassware is also eliminated. Installing a water softener isn't recommended, as it could potentially lead to corrosion in copper plumbing due to the water's naturally low buffering capacity. The water quality consistently meets or surpasses Health Canada guidelines, with a typical pH between 7.5 and 8.0, and excellent compliance regarding lead, copper, and disinfection byproducts.
Geology & Source: Quaternary glacial till; Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Sooke Volcanics Group and Cretaceous sedimentary formations; granite intrusions and metamorphic basement rocks; non-carbonate dominated terrains yield very soft water
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