Water hardness in Saint-Étienne
1.4 °fH soft
Tap water in Saint-Étienne is soft: 1.4 °fH (14 mg/L · 0.8 gpg · 0.8 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 42218 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 13–91 mg/L.
Saint-Étienne's water comes mainly from the Lavalette dam on the Lignon du Velay, with backup reservoirs such as Pas du Riot. The crystalline and volcanic rock of the Massif Central releases very few minerals: 14.0 mg/L CaCO₃ median, with values from 13.0 to 91.0 mg/L depending on the sector. It is very soft water that hardly scales appliances.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.4 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Saur |
How Saint-Étienne compares
- Tap water in Saint-Étienne is 94 % softer than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 33099 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 1 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Loire it is number 237 of 258 cities; the regional median is 9.6 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Le Bessat, 12 km away (1.1 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: La Ricamarie, 4 km away (8.9 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in France →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Saint-Étienne
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Saint-Étienne water hard or soft?
It is soft: 14 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.8 gpg, 0.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Saint-Étienne 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 Saint-Étienne water?
0.8 gpg, equal to 0.8 °dH, 1.4 °fH or 14 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Saint-Étienne?
For 14 mg/L (0.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Saint-Étienne?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 42218 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 42218 · Outdated figure? Tell us