Water hardness in Maaseik
11.2 °fH moderately hard
Tap water in Maaseik is moderately hard: 11.2 °fH (112 mg/L · 6.5 gpg · 6.3 °dH).
Source: VMM, Kwaliteit van het drinkwater per leveringsgebied 2024, bijlage 2 (mediane concentratie) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 75–123 mg/L.
De Watergroep 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 111.9 mg/L CaCO₃, within a reported range of 75.3 to 123.4 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 | 11.2 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | De Watergroep |
How Maaseik compares
- Tap water in Maaseik is 65 % softer than the median of the 1091 cities we track in Belgium (31.6 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 962 of 1091 in Belgium (1 = hardest); 12 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Limburg it is number 28 of 33 cities; the regional median is 16.5 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bree, 14 km away (7.5 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Maasmechelen, 16 km away (15.8 °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 Maaseik
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 6 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Maaseik water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 112 mg/L as CaCO₃ (6.5 gpg, 6.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Maaseik 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 Maaseik water?
6.5 gpg, equal to 6.3 °dH, 11.2 °fH or 112 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Maaseik?
For 112 mg/L (6.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Maaseik?
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