Water hardness in Machelen
36.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Machelen is very hard: 36.5 °fH (365 mg/L · 21.3 gpg · 20.5 °dH).
Source: VMM, Kwaliteit van het drinkwater per leveringsgebied 2024, bijlage 2 (mediane concentratie) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-19
Machelen (Flemish Brabant) is supplied by Farys. The VMM median for 2024 is 365 mg/L CaCO₃, a single value: very hard. It is one of the highest figures in this batch. Scale forms rapidly in water heaters and on taps.
Belgian suppliers report hardness in °f (French degrees); 1 °f = 10 mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 36.5 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Farys |
How Machelen compares
- Tap water in Machelen is 16 % harder than the median of the 1091 cities we track in Belgium (31.6 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 334 of 1091 in Belgium (1 = hardest); 69 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Vlaams-Brabant it is number 13 of 59 cities; the regional median is 26.6 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Zemst, 8 km away (18.4 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Saintes, 30 km away (49.3 °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 Machelen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 20 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| 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 Machelen water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 365 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.3 gpg, 20.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Machelen 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 Machelen water?
21.3 gpg, equal to 20.5 °dH, 36.5 °fH or 365 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Machelen?
For 365 mg/L (20.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Machelen?
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