Water hardness in Argentan
34.9 °fH very hard
Tap water in Argentan is very hard: 34.9 °fH (349 mg/L · 20.4 gpg · 19.6 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 61006 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 337–365 mg/L.
Water in Argentan (Orne) is supplied by Ceo - Argentan. The ARS health-control data (SISE-Eaux, August 2026) give a measured hardness of 349 mg/L CaCO₃, which is very hard, with values from 337 to 365 mg/L.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 34.9 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Ceo - Argentan |
How Argentan compares
- Tap water in Argentan is 46 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 2862 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 91 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Orne it is number 38 of 380 cities; the regional median is 28.2 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Monts-sur-Orne, 5 km away (27.1 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Saint-Cosme-en-Vairais, 63 km away (44.6 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in France →
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 Argentan
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 20 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| 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 Argentan water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 349 mg/L as CaCO₃ (20.4 gpg, 19.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Argentan safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
How many grains per gallon is Argentan water?
20.4 gpg, equal to 19.6 °dH, 34.9 °fH or 349 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Argentan?
For 349 mg/L (19.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Argentan?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 61006 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 61006 · Outdated figure? Tell us