Water hardness in Rijeka
161 mg/L hard
Tap water in Rijeka is hard: 161 mg/L (9.4 gpg · 9 °dH · 16.1 °fH).
Source: KD VIK Rijeka - Kvaliteta vode (Riječka voda, tvrdoća) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-22
Range across supply zones: 141–180 mg/L.
KD Vodovod i kanalizacija Rijeka states a hardness range of 7.90 to 10.10 °dH for water from the Rijeka springs. It is one utility-wide range with no zone breakdown, and the page carries no measurement date, so the year shown is only the page year. Within that range the water sits at the lower end of the scale compared with other Croatian cities in this dataset.
Croatian suppliers report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃ or °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 161 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | KD Vodovod i kanalizacija d.o.o. Rijeka |
How Rijeka compares
- Tap water in Rijeka is 53 % softer than the median of the 13 cities we track in Croatia (339 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 13 of 13 in Croatia (1 = hardest); 0 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Pula, 69 km away (322 mg/L).
What it means at home
- Fast scale on taps, shower screens and kettle; white spots on glassware.
- Water heater: efficiency loss and element failures within years if unprotected.
- Dry skin and dull hair after showering are common.
- Softener recommended; jug or reverse osmosis for drinking.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Recommended, especially with a heater or boiler: scale cuts efficiency and shortens its life.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 2 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Rijeka
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| Miele | 9 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| 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 Rijeka water hard or soft?
It is hard: 161 mg/L as CaCO₃ (9.4 gpg, 9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Rijeka safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Croatian suppliers report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃ or °dH.
How many grains per gallon is Rijeka water?
9.4 gpg, equal to 9 °dH, 16.1 °fH or 161 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Rijeka?
For 161 mg/L (9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Rijeka?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: KD VIK Rijeka - Kvaliteta vode (Riječka voda, tvrdoća) (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. KD VIK Rijeka - Kvaliteta vode (Riječka voda, tvrdoća) · Outdated figure? Tell us