Water hardness in Villefontaine
28.2 °fH very hard
Tap water in Villefontaine is very hard: 28.2 °fH (282 mg/L · 16.5 gpg · 15.8 °dH).
Source: Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 38553 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Villefontaine in Isère is served by Semidao. The town lies in northern Isère on a plain of glacial and alluvial deposits rich in Alpine limestone: 282 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 | 28.2 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Semidao |
How Villefontaine compares
- Tap water in Villefontaine is 18 % harder than the median of the 33641 cities we track in France (23.9 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 11089 of 33641 in France (1 = hardest); 67 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Isère it is number 132 of 502 cities; the regional median is 25.1 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Chamagnieu, 8 km away (18.3 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil, 8 km away (37.3 °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 Villefontaine
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| 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 Villefontaine water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 282 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.5 gpg, 15.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Villefontaine 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 Villefontaine water?
16.5 gpg, equal to 15.8 °dH, 28.2 °fH or 282 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Villefontaine?
For 282 mg/L (15.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Villefontaine?
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 38553 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Ministère de la Santé (ARS), contrôle sanitaire SISE-Eaux, commune 38553 · Outdated figure? Tell us