Water hardness in La Ciotat
21.8 °fH very hard
Tap water in La Ciotat is very hard: 21.8 °fH (218 mg/L · 12.7 gpg · 12.2 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 13028 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
In La Ciotat, water comes from the Canal de Marseille, which diverts the Durance, topped up with Verdon water. This Alpine water passes through limestone terrain: 218.0 mg/L CaCO₃. Hard water that scales kettles.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 21.8 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Societe Eau De Marseille Metropole |
How La Ciotat compares
- Tap water in La Ciotat is 9 % softer than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 18945 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 43 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bouches-du-Rhône it is number 73 of 118 cities; the regional median is 22.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: La Cadière-d'Azur, 12 km away (17.4 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bandol, 13 km away (42.3 °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 La Ciotat
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 La Ciotat water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 218 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.7 gpg, 12.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in La Ciotat 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 La Ciotat water?
12.7 gpg, equal to 12.2 °dH, 21.8 °fH or 218 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in La Ciotat?
For 218 mg/L (12.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in La Ciotat?
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 13028 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 13028 · Outdated figure? Tell us