Water hardness in Berlin
18.4 °dH very hard
Tap water in Berlin is very hard: 18.4 °dH (328 mg/L · 19.2 gpg · 32.8 °fH).
Source: Berliner Wasserbetriebe - Analysendaten der Wasserwerke, Jahresmedianwerte 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 270–416 mg/L.
9 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasserwerk Beelitzhof | 17 | 304 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Friedrichshagen | 20.3 | 362 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Kaulsdorf | 20 | 357 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Kladow | 18.4 | 328 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Spandau | 15.1 | 270 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Stolpe | 15.3 | 273 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Tegel | 15.3 | 273 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Tiefwerder | 22.4 | 400 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Wuhlheide | 23.3 | 416 | very hard |
Berliner Wasserbetriebe publishes 2025 annual median hardness for each of its waterworks, and the nine zones give a median of 328.4 mg/L CaCO₃ within a range of 269.5 to 415.9 mg/L. Which waterworks serves your street decides the figure, for example Spandau at the lower end and Wuhlheide at the upper end. Look up your postcode in the BWB waterworks map before sizing a softener.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 18.4 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Berliner Wasserbetriebe (BWB) |
How Berlin compares
- Tap water in Berlin is 60 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 132 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 84 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Storkow (Mark), 51 km away (11.8 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Stahnsdorf, 20 km away (23.3 °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 Berlin
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 18 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Berlin water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 328 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.2 gpg, 18.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Berlin 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 Berlin water?
19.2 gpg, equal to 18.4 °dH, 32.8 °fH or 328 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Berlin?
For 328 mg/L (18.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Berlin?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Berliner Wasserbetriebe - Analysendaten der Wasserwerke, Jahresmedianwerte 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Berliner Wasserbetriebe - Analysendaten der Wasserwerke, Jahresmedianwerte 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us