Water hardness in Hohenems
13.4 °dH very hard
Tap water in Hohenems is very hard: 13.4 °dH (239 mg/L · 14 gpg · 23.9 °fH).
Source: Stadt Hohenems Pruefbericht Zachertobel (Umweltinstitut, Stadtwerke) (2025-10) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 177–302 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lediquelle | 9.9 | 177 | hard |
| Zachertobel | 16.9 | 302 | very hard |
Hohenems publishes two laboratory reports, one for the Zachertobel supply and one for the Lediquelle spring, both sampled in October 2025. Together they give 239.2 mg/L CaCO₃, with a range of 176.7 to 301.7 mg/L. The reports do not show which streets receive which water. The lab labels the hardness figure as calculated.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 13.4 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtgemeinde Hohenems (Wasserversorgung) |
How Hohenems compares
- Tap water in Hohenems is close to the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 84 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 47 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Vorarlberg it is number 4 of 7 cities; the regional median is 13.4 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Rankweil, 11 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 Hohenems
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Hohenems water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 239 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14 gpg, 13.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Hohenems 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 Hohenems water?
14 gpg, equal to 13.4 °dH, 23.9 °fH or 239 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Hohenems?
For 239 mg/L (13.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Hohenems?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Hohenems Pruefbericht Zachertobel (Umweltinstitut, Stadtwerke) (2025-10). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt Hohenems Pruefbericht Zachertobel (Umweltinstitut, Stadtwerke) · Outdated figure? Tell us