Water hardness in Balen
6.3 °fH moderately hard
Tap water in Balen is moderately hard: 6.3 °fH (63 mg/L · 3.7 gpg · 3.6 °dH).
Source: VMM, Kwaliteit van het drinkwater per leveringsgebied 2024, bijlage 2 (mediane concentratie) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 58–68 mg/L.
Pidpa supplies this part of the Campine, a sandy region where lime is largely absent from the aquifers, so groundwater here tends to be softer than elsewhere in Belgium; some Flemish supply also comes from Albert Canal surface water. The 2024 figure is 63.4 mg/L CaCO₃, within a reported range of 58.4 to 68.3 mg/L, so the exact value depends on your street. At this level limescale builds up slowly, so a kettle needs descaling only now and then and a softener is rarely worth it.
Belgian suppliers report hardness in °f (French degrees); 1 °f = 10 mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 6.3 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Pidpa |
How Balen compares
- Tap water in Balen is 80 % softer than the median of the 1091 cities we track in Belgium (31.6 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1060 of 1091 in Belgium (1 = hardest); 3 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Antwerpen it is number 65 of 65 cities; the regional median is 17.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: La Reid, 87 km away (4.7 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Mol, 5 km away (11 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Belgium →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Balen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Balen water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 63 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.7 gpg, 3.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Balen safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Belgian suppliers report hardness in °f (French degrees); 1 °f = 10 mg/L CaCO₃.
How many grains per gallon is Balen water?
3.7 gpg, equal to 3.6 °dH, 6.3 °fH or 63 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Balen?
For 63 mg/L (3.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Balen?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: VMM, Kwaliteit van het drinkwater per leveringsgebied 2024, bijlage 2 (mediane concentratie) (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. VMM, Kwaliteit van het drinkwater per leveringsgebied 2024, bijlage 2 (mediane concentratie) · Outdated figure? Tell us