Water hardness in Bad Berleburg
4.7 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Bad Berleburg is moderately hard: 4.7 °dH (84 mg/L · 4.9 gpg · 8.4 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Bad Berleburg – Wasserhärte in Bad Berleburg (25.04.2024) (2024-04) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 73–104 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Burgfeld | 4.1 | 73 | moderately hard |
| Dreis-Tiefenbach, Obernau Talsperre | 4.3 | 77 | moderately hard |
| Girkhausen | 5.1 | 91 | moderately hard |
| Wunderthausen | 5.8 | 104 | moderately hard |
Stadtwerke Bad Berleburg's April 2024 sheet lists four zones from 73.2 mg/L CaCO₃ (Burgfeld) to 103.5 mg/L (Wunderthausen). The zone around Dreis-Tiefenbach and Obernau is named after a reservoir (Talsperre) and measures 76.8 mg/L. The city figure of 83.9 mg/L is moderate, so scale builds up slowly and a softener is rarely needed.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 4.7 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Bad Berleburg |
How Bad Berleburg compares
- Tap water in Bad Berleburg is 59 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 741 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 8 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 143 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Olpe, 38 km away (2.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Marburg, 38 km away (10.5 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Bad Berleburg
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Bad Berleburg water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 84 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.9 gpg, 4.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bad Berleburg 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 Bad Berleburg water?
4.9 gpg, equal to 4.7 °dH, 8.4 °fH or 84 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bad Berleburg?
For 84 mg/L (4.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Bad Berleburg?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Bad Berleburg – Wasserhärte in Bad Berleburg (25.04.2024) (2024-04). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Bad Berleburg – Wasserhärte in Bad Berleburg (25.04.2024) · Outdated figure? Tell us