Water hardness in Herk-de-Stad
32.2 °fH very hard
Tap water in Herk-de-Stad is very hard: 32.2 °fH (322 mg/L · 18.8 gpg · 18 °dH).
Source: VMM, Kwaliteit van het drinkwater per leveringsgebied 2024, bijlage 2 (mediane concentratie) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-19
Herk-de-Stad in Limburg is supplied by De Watergroep. The VMM 2024 median is 321.7 mg/L CaCO₃, which is very hard. No range is published for this area in our data. Descale kettles and coffee machines often.
Belgian suppliers report hardness in °f (French degrees); 1 °f = 10 mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 32.2 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | De Watergroep |
How Herk-de-Stad compares
- Tap water in Herk-de-Stad is close to the median of the 1091 cities we track in Belgium (31.6 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 533 of 1091 in Belgium (1 = hardest); 51 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Limburg it is number 7 of 33 cities; the regional median is 16.5 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Halen, 4 km away (16.5 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Landen, 22 km away (42.8 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Belgium →
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 Herk-de-Stad
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 18 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| 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 Herk-de-Stad water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 322 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18.8 gpg, 18 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Herk-de-Stad 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 Herk-de-Stad water?
18.8 gpg, equal to 18 °dH, 32.2 °fH or 322 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Herk-de-Stad?
For 322 mg/L (18 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Herk-de-Stad?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
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