Water hardness in Tours
12.3 °fH hard
Tap water in Tours is hard: 12.3 °fH (123 mg/L · 7.2 gpg · 6.9 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 37261 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 122–124 mg/L.
Around Tours, water is drawn from aquifers of the Loire sedimentary basin, under the Touraine limestone plateaus. It is hard, at 123.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with a gap from 122.0 to 124.0 mg/L between measurement points. Scale appears quickly on taps.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.3 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Tours Metropole Val De Loire |
How Tours compares
- Tap water in Tours is 49 % softer than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 26764 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 20 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Indre-et-Loire it is number 262 of 272 cities; the regional median is 24.9 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Dierre, 21 km away (9.7 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, 3 km away (28.3 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in France →
What it means at home
- Fast scale on taps, shower screens and kettle; white spots on glassware.
- Water heater: efficiency loss and element failures within years if unprotected.
- Dry skin and dull hair after showering are common.
- Softener recommended; jug or reverse osmosis for drinking.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Recommended, especially with a heater or boiler: scale cuts efficiency and shortens its life.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 2 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Tours
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H01 |
| Miele | 7 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| 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 Tours water hard or soft?
It is hard: 123 mg/L as CaCO₃ (7.2 gpg, 6.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Tours 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 Tours water?
7.2 gpg, equal to 6.9 °dH, 12.3 °fH or 123 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Tours?
For 123 mg/L (6.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Tours?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 37261 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 37261 · Outdated figure? Tell us