Water hardness in Marseille
22 °fH very hard
Tap water in Marseille is very hard: 22 °fH (220 mg/L · 12.9 gpg · 12.3 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 13055 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 167–233 mg/L.
Marseille's water comes mainly from the Canal de Marseille, which diverts water from the Durance, topped up with Verdon water delivered by the Canal de Provence. This Alpine water crosses limestone terrain, hence a median of 220.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with values from 167.0 to 233.0 mg/L depending on the network. Limescale builds up quickly on heating elements and shower heads.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 22 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Grand Port Maritime Marseille Est ; Societe Eau De Marseille Metropole |
How Marseille compares
- Tap water in Marseille is 8 % softer than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 18745 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 44 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bouches-du-Rhône it is number 68 of 118 cities; the regional median is 22.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Plan-de-Cuques, 9 km away (17.5 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Roquevaire, 19 km away (40.1 °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 Marseille
| 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 Marseille water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 220 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.9 gpg, 12.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Marseille 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 Marseille water?
12.9 gpg, equal to 12.3 °dH, 22 °fH or 220 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Marseille?
For 220 mg/L (12.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Marseille?
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 13055 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 13055 · Outdated figure? Tell us