Water hardness in Bayreuth
5.5 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Bayreuth is moderately hard: 5.5 °dH (98 mg/L · 5.7 gpg · 9.8 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Bayreuth, Trinkwasseranalyse Hohe Warte (linked from wasserhaerte page) (2025-04) · data checked 2026-10-20
Stadtwerke Bayreuth's analysis from the Hohe Warte II reservoir, sampled on 8 April 2025, gives 98.2 mg/L CaCO₃, in the soft category. The utility's own hardness page puts 95 % of the urban area in the soft range and the rest in medium. It is a single reservoir sample, not a citywide mean. Scale builds up slowly at this level.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 5.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Bayreuth |
How Bayreuth compares
- Tap water in Bayreuth is 52 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 719 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 11 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 132 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Sonnefeld, 43 km away (4.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bindlach, 3 km away (12.4 °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 Bayreuth
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 6 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| 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 Bayreuth water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 98 mg/L as CaCO₃ (5.7 gpg, 5.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bayreuth 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 Bayreuth water?
5.7 gpg, equal to 5.5 °dH, 9.8 °fH or 98 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bayreuth?
For 98 mg/L (5.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Bayreuth?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Bayreuth, Trinkwasseranalyse Hohe Warte (linked from wasserhaerte page) (2025-04). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Bayreuth, Trinkwasseranalyse Hohe Warte (linked from wasserhaerte page) · Outdated figure? Tell us