Water hardness in Vendôme
25.3 °fH very hard
Tap water in Vendôme is very hard: 25.3 °fH (253 mg/L · 14.8 gpg · 14.2 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 41269 (2026-07) · data checked 2026-10-19
Vendôme in Loir-et-Cher is served by Vend'O. The Loir valley is cut into Turonian chalk, a limestone rock: 253 mg/L CaCO₃. The water is very hard and scales quickly.
TH en °fH : douce < 15, moyennement dure 15–25, dure 25–35, très dure > 35 °fH (classes usuelles ARS).
Water data
| Total hardness | 25.3 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Vend'O |
How Vendôme compares
- Tap water in Vendôme is 6 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 15182 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 55 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Loir-et-Cher it is number 70 of 267 cities; the regional median is 20.6 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Azé, 8 km away (19.1 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Pray, 14 km away (33.6 °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 Vendôme
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Vendôme water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 253 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.8 gpg, 14.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Vendôme 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 Vendôme water?
14.8 gpg, equal to 14.2 °dH, 25.3 °fH or 253 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Vendôme?
For 253 mg/L (14.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Vendôme?
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 41269 (2026-07). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 41269 · Outdated figure? Tell us