Water hardness in Faches-Thumesnil
37.9 °fH very hard
Tap water in Faches-Thumesnil is very hard: 37.9 °fH (379 mg/L · 22.1 gpg · 21.2 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 59220 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Faches-Thumesnil, near Lille, is served by Ileo, whose water comes for nearly half from the chalk aquifer south of the metropolis (according to the Métropole européenne de Lille). Chalk gives 379 mg/L CaCO₃, very hard water. 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 | 37.9 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Ileo |
How Faches-Thumesnil compares
- Tap water in Faches-Thumesnil is 59 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1445 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 96 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nord it is number 210 of 634 cities; the regional median is 35.8 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Capinghem, 9 km away (29.3 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Escobecques, 10 km away (48.7 °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 Faches-Thumesnil
| 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 Faches-Thumesnil water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 379 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.1 gpg, 21.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Faches-Thumesnil 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 Faches-Thumesnil water?
22.1 gpg, equal to 21.2 °dH, 37.9 °fH or 379 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Faches-Thumesnil?
For 379 mg/L (21.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Faches-Thumesnil?
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 59220 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 59220 · Outdated figure? Tell us