Water hardness in Linz
15.4 °dH very hard
Tap water in Linz is very hard: 15.4 °dH (275 mg/L · 16.1 gpg · 27.5 °fH).
Source: Linz AG - Trinkwasser Untersuchungsergebnisse Versorgungsgebiet Linz, Jänner-Februar 2026 (2026-02) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 243–339 mg/L.
11 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgariplatz/Industriegebiet | 16.8 | 300 | very hard |
| Ebelsberg | 14 | 250 | very hard |
| Froschberg-Freinberg | 13.8 | 246 | very hard |
| Hafen | 14.2 | 254 | very hard |
| Innere Stadt | 18.2 | 325 | very hard |
| Klein-münchen | 17.2 | 307 | very hard |
| Neue Heimat | 14.1 | 252 | very hard |
| Pichling | 19 | 339 | very hard |
| Spallerhof-Keferfeld | 13.6 | 243 | very hard |
| Urfahr-Ost | 15.4 | 275 | very hard |
| Urfahr-West | 17.8 | 318 | very hard |
Linz AG reports 11 sampling zones in its January–February 2026 results, with a median of 274.9 mg/L CaCO₃ and a range of 242.8 to 339.2 mg/L. Results are published roughly every two months, so the figure can shift a little between reports. Even the softest zone is well into the very hard category, so scale on appliances is a normal issue.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15.4 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Linz AG (Wasserversorgung) |
How Linz compares
- Tap water in Linz is 10 % harder than the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 43 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 73 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Oberösterreich it is number 2 of 10 cities; the regional median is 14.5 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Gallneukirchen, 11 km away (11.8 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sankt Valentin, 23 km away (21.3 °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 Linz
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 15 °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 Linz water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 275 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.1 gpg, 15.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Linz 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 Linz water?
16.1 gpg, equal to 15.4 °dH, 27.5 °fH or 275 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Linz?
For 275 mg/L (15.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Linz?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Linz AG - Trinkwasser Untersuchungsergebnisse Versorgungsgebiet Linz, Jänner-Februar 2026 (2026-02). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Linz AG - Trinkwasser Untersuchungsergebnisse Versorgungsgebiet Linz, Jänner-Februar 2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us