Water hardness in Avignon
28 °fH very hard
Tap water in Avignon is very hard: 28 °fH (280 mg/L · 16.4 gpg · 15.7 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 84007 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 274–350 mg/L.
In Avignon, water comes largely from the alluvial aquifer of the Rhône and the Durance, depending on the catchment. Fed by calcareous Alpine water, it reaches 280.0 mg/L CaCO₃, between 274.0 and 350.0 mg/L. Scale quickly marks jugs and coffee machines.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 28 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Eau Grand Avignon; Ville D'Avignon-Sce Financiers |
How Avignon compares
- Tap water in Avignon is 17 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 11411 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 66 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Vaucluse it is number 74 of 151 cities; the regional median is 27.8 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Rochefort-du-Gard, 10 km away (16.6 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Barbentane, 7 km away (35.6 °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 Avignon
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Avignon water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 280 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.4 gpg, 15.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Avignon 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 Avignon water?
16.4 gpg, equal to 15.7 °dH, 28 °fH or 280 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Avignon?
For 280 mg/L (15.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Avignon?
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 84007 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 84007 · Outdated figure? Tell us