Water hardness in Balve
8.3 °dH hard
Tap water in Balve is hard: 8.3 °dH (148 mg/L · 8.7 gpg · 14.8 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Balve – Bekanntmachung der Härtebereiche August 2019 (2019) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 112–184 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Versorgungsgebiet 1 Wiesenberg (östlicher Teil Balve, Glärbachquelle) | 6.3 | 112 | moderately hard |
| Versorgungsgebiet 5 Wachtloh (restlicher Teil Balve, Mischwasser Glärbachquelle + Stadtwerke Menden) | 10.3 | 184 | very hard |
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Stadtwerke Balve's notice from August 2019 shows two areas. The eastern part of town is fed from the Glärbach spring and has 112.1 mg/L CaCO₃. The rest of Balve gets a mix of Glärbach spring water and water from Stadtwerke Menden at 184.2 mg/L. The city figure is 148.1 mg/L, and the data is several years old.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 8.3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Balve |
How Balve compares
- Tap water in Balve is 28 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 562 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 31 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 108 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Hemer, 9 km away (6.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sundern, 10 km away (11.5 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
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 Balve
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| Miele | 8 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| 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 Balve water hard or soft?
It is hard: 148 mg/L as CaCO₃ (8.7 gpg, 8.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Balve 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 Balve water?
8.7 gpg, equal to 8.3 °dH, 14.8 °fH or 148 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Balve?
For 148 mg/L (8.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Balve?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Balve – Bekanntmachung der Härtebereiche August 2019 (2019). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Balve – Bekanntmachung der Härtebereiche August 2019 · Outdated figure? Tell us