Water hardness in Villach
12.3 °dH very hard
Tap water in Villach is very hard: 12.3 °dH (220 mg/L · 12.8 gpg · 22 °fH).
Source: Stadt Villach - Wasserqualität und Wasserhärte (web page) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 168–286 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara-Quelle | 12.3 | 220 | very hard |
| Brunnen Urlaken | 15 | 268 | very hard |
| Union-Quelle | 9.9 | 177 | hard |
The Villach waterworks page lists three supply areas, giving a median of 219.6 mg/L CaCO₃ and a range of 167.8 to 285.6 mg/L. The page carries no date, so the figures may not reflect the latest analysis. Which area you live in matters: the upper end is about 70 percent above the lower end.
Angabe in °dH; Härtebereiche wie in Deutschland üblich.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadt Villach - Wasserwerk |
How Villach compares
- Tap water in Villach is 12 % softer than the median of the 159 cities we track in Austria (14 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 97 of 159 in Austria (1 = hardest); 39 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Kärnten it is number 2 of 4 cities; the regional median is 11.5 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Feldkirchen in Kärnten, 22 km away (8.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Klagenfurt, 34 km away (18.5 °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 Villach
| 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 Villach water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 220 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.8 gpg, 12.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Villach 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 Villach water?
12.8 gpg, equal to 12.3 °dH, 22 °fH or 220 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Villach?
For 220 mg/L (12.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Villach?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Villach - Wasserqualität und Wasserhärte (web page) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt Villach - Wasserqualität und Wasserhärte (web page) · Outdated figure? Tell us