Water hardness in Schwechat
18.8 °dH very hard
Tap water in Schwechat is very hard: 18.8 °dH (336 mg/L · 19.6 gpg · 33.6 °fH).
Source: Stadtgemeinde Schwechat - Inspektionsbericht Trinkwasser Mai 2026 (WSB Labor Prüfbericht P2602457PB) (2026-05) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 323–355 mg/L.
5 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontalfilterbrunnen | 18.1 | 323 | very hard |
| Tiefbehälter Ablauf nach Aufbereitung | 18.8 | 336 | very hard |
| Tiefbrunnen 1 | 19.4 | 346 | very hard |
| Tiefbrunnen 2 | 19.9 | 355 | very hard |
| Tiefbrunnen 3 | 18.3 | 327 | very hard |
The May 2026 inspection report for the Schwechat-Mannswörth supply gives 335.6 mg/L CaCO₃, with five sampling points between 323.1 and 355.2 mg/L. These readings come from that supply system and may not cover every part of the municipality. Water at this level leaves visible scale on taps and heating elements.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 18.8 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtgemeinde Schwechat Wasserwerk (WVA Schwechat-Mannswörth) |
How Schwechat compares
- Tap water in Schwechat is 34 % harder than the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 9 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 95 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Niederösterreich it is number 7 of 46 cities; the regional median is 15.5 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Vienna, 11 km away (9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Perchtoldsdorf, 16 km away (25.9 °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 Schwechat
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Schwechat water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 336 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.6 gpg, 18.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Schwechat 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 Schwechat water?
19.6 gpg, equal to 18.8 °dH, 33.6 °fH or 336 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Schwechat?
For 336 mg/L (18.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Schwechat?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtgemeinde Schwechat - Inspektionsbericht Trinkwasser Mai 2026 (WSB Labor Prüfbericht P2602457PB) (2026-05). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtgemeinde Schwechat - Inspektionsbericht Trinkwasser Mai 2026 (WSB Labor Prüfbericht P2602457PB) · Outdated figure? Tell us