Water hardness in Feldkirch
15.6 °dH very hard
Tap water in Feldkirch is very hard: 15.6 °dH (279 mg/L · 16.3 gpg · 27.9 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Feldkirch Bereich Wasser - Quellwasseruntersuchung Bereich Samina (Prüfbericht, Auftragsnr. 1356-0/2025-UI) (2025-09) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 164–304 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grundwasser Felsenau Brunnen 4 (Frastanz) | 17 | 304 | very hard |
| HB Tisis Netzabgabe | 15.6 | 279 | very hard |
| Quellwasser Samina (UV-Gebäude Saminaweg) | 9.2 | 164 | hard |
Stadtwerke Feldkirch supplies water from different sources, and the three samples taken on 15 September 2025 differ widely: Samina spring, Felsenau groundwater and the Tisis reservoir outlet. The median is 278.5 mg/L CaCO₃, with a range from 164.2 to 303.5 mg/L. Hardness therefore depends on which part of the network serves your address. The laboratory computed all three values.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15.6 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Feldkirch - Bereich Wasser |
How Feldkirch compares
- Tap water in Feldkirch is 11 % harder than the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 32 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 80 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Vorarlberg it is number 1 of 7 cities; the regional median is 13.4 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Rankweil, 5 km away (8 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Austria →
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 Feldkirch
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| 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 Feldkirch water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 279 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.3 gpg, 15.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Feldkirch safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
How many grains per gallon is Feldkirch water?
16.3 gpg, equal to 15.6 °dH, 27.9 °fH or 279 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Feldkirch?
For 279 mg/L (15.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Feldkirch?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Feldkirch Bereich Wasser - Quellwasseruntersuchung Bereich Samina (Prüfbericht, Auftragsnr. 1356-0/2025-UI) (2025-09). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Feldkirch Bereich Wasser - Quellwasseruntersuchung Bereich Samina (Prüfbericht, Auftragsnr. 1356-0/2025-UI) · Outdated figure? Tell us