Water hardness in Salzburg
12.1 °dH very hard
Tap water in Salzburg is very hard: 12.1 °dH (215 mg/L · 12.6 gpg · 21.5 °fH).
Source: Salzburg AG - Die aktuellen Wasseranalysen (Oktober 2026) (2026-10) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 179–330 mg/L.
8 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fürstenbrunn/Glanegg (Moosstraße) | 10.2 | 182 | very hard |
| Glasenbach | 12.8 | 229 | very hard |
| Gnigl | 12.3 | 220 | very hard |
| Itzling | 14.1 | 252 | very hard |
| Kapuzinerberg | 10 | 179 | hard |
| Langwied | 18.5 | 330 | very hard |
| Mönchsberg | 10.6 | 189 | very hard |
| Parsch | 11.8 | 211 | very hard |
Salzburg AG publishes monthly analyses for eight supply areas, and the October 2026 sheet gives a median of 215.1 mg/L CaCO₃. Values run from 178.5 to 330.2 mg/L, so the area you live in changes the result noticeably. Look up your street in the current analysis before choosing between descaling and a softener.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.1 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Salzburg AG (Wasserversorgung) |
How Salzburg compares
- Tap water in Salzburg is 14 % softer than the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 100 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 37 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Salzburg it is number 1 of 4 cities; the regional median is 10.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bischofshofen, 44 km away (6.1 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ried im Innkreis, 56 km away (15.8 °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 Salzburg
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| 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 Salzburg water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 215 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.6 gpg, 12.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Salzburg 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 Salzburg water?
12.6 gpg, equal to 12.1 °dH, 21.5 °fH or 215 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Salzburg?
For 215 mg/L (12.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Salzburg?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Salzburg AG - Die aktuellen Wasseranalysen (Oktober 2026) (2026-10). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Salzburg AG - Die aktuellen Wasseranalysen (Oktober 2026) · Outdated figure? Tell us