Water hardness in Reims
30.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Reims is very hard: 30.5 °fH (305 mg/L · 17.8 gpg · 17.1 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 51454 (2026-06) · data checked 2026-10-19
Grand Reims captures its water through more than forty catchments in the chalk aquifer. Chalk is almost pure limestone, hence a hardness of 305.0 mg/L CaCO₃. Scale builds up fast in appliances that heat water.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 30.5 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Communaute Urbaine Grand Reims |
How Reims compares
- Tap water in Reims is 28 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 7738 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 77 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Marne it is number 214 of 579 cities; the regional median is 28.7 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Lavannes, 12 km away (23.2 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Champfleury, 7 km away (38.7 °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 Reims
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 17 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Reims water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 305 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17.8 gpg, 17.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Reims 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 Reims water?
17.8 gpg, equal to 17.1 °dH, 30.5 °fH or 305 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Reims?
For 305 mg/L (17.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Reims?
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 51454 (2026-06). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 51454 · Outdated figure? Tell us