Water hardness in Ahaus
11 °dH very hard
Tap water in Ahaus is very hard: 11 °dH (196 mg/L · 11.5 gpg · 19.6 °fH).
Source: LokalWerke GmbH Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (annual means 2025) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 161–232 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasserwerk Ahaus-Ortwick (Netzgebiet Ahaus und Heek) | 13 | 232 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Heek (Netzgebiet Ahaus und Heek) | 9 | 161 | hard |
LokalWerke reports 2025 annual means for two waterworks serving the Ahaus and Heek network: Ahaus-Ortwick at 232.1 mg/L and Heek at 160.7 mg/L CaCO₃. The city figure of 196.4 mg/L is the median of the two. Which works feeds your street is not shown in the report, so ask the utility before you choose a softener setting.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 11 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | LokalWerke GmbH |
How Ahaus compares
- Tap water in Ahaus is close to the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 435 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 46 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 86 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Velen, 21 km away (3.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Gronau (Westf.), 15 km away (16 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
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 Ahaus
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Ahaus water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 196 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.5 gpg, 11 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ahaus safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
How many grains per gallon is Ahaus water?
11.5 gpg, equal to 11 °dH, 19.6 °fH or 196 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ahaus?
For 196 mg/L (11 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Ahaus?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: LokalWerke GmbH Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (annual means 2025) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. LokalWerke GmbH Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (annual means 2025) · Outdated figure? Tell us