Water hardness in St. Pölten
14.1 °dH very hard
Tap water in St. Pölten is very hard: 14.1 °dH (252 mg/L · 14.7 gpg · 25.2 °fH).
Source: Stadt St. Pölten - Wasseruntersuchungsbefund Brunnen IV vom 13.01.2026 (2026-01) · data checked 2026-10-20
The figure of 251.7 mg/L CaCO₃ comes from one laboratory report for Brunnen IV, dated 13 January 2026. It describes that well only, not the whole city, and we found no published citywide range. Other parts of the network may be mixed from different sources, so treat the value as indicative and ask the city waterworks for your address.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14.1 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadt St. Pölten (city water supply) |
How St. Pölten compares
- Tap water in St. Pölten is close to the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 75 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 53 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Niederösterreich it is number 39 of 46 cities; the regional median is 15.5 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Tulln an der Donau, 34 km away (9.2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Breitenfurt bei Wien, 39 km away (20 °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 St. Pölten
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| 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 St. Pölten water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 252 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.7 gpg, 14.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in St. Pölten 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 St. Pölten water?
14.7 gpg, equal to 14.1 °dH, 25.2 °fH or 252 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in St. Pölten?
For 252 mg/L (14.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in St. Pölten?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt St. Pölten - Wasseruntersuchungsbefund Brunnen IV vom 13.01.2026 (2026-01). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt St. Pölten - Wasseruntersuchungsbefund Brunnen IV vom 13.01.2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us