Water hardness in Arles
38.2 °fH very hard
Tap water in Arles is very hard: 38.2 °fH (382 mg/L · 22.3 gpg · 21.4 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 13004 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 369–395 mg/L.
Arles lies in the Rhône delta, where drinking water comes from the river's alluvial aquifer. Fed by calcareous Alpine water, it reaches 382.0 mg/L CaCO₃, between 369.0 and 395.0 mg/L. Scale is significant, and a softener is often considered.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 38.2 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Saur |
How Arles compares
- Tap water in Arles is 60 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1280 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 96 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bouches-du-Rhône it is number 8 of 118 cities; the regional median is 22.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Fontvieille, 9 km away (26.2 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Le Cailar, 32 km away (55 °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 Arles
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 21 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Arles water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 382 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.3 gpg, 21.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Arles 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 Arles water?
22.3 gpg, equal to 21.4 °dH, 38.2 °fH or 382 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Arles?
For 382 mg/L (21.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Arles?
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 13004 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 13004 · Outdated figure? Tell us