Water hardness in Bielefeld
12.8 °dH very hard
Tap water in Bielefeld is very hard: 12.8 °dH (229 mg/L · 13.3 gpg · 22.9 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Bielefeld: Trinkwasserqualität in Bielefeld (Analysewerte) (2021) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 202–289 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Versorgungsbereich A | 12.8 | 229 | very hard |
| Versorgungsbereich B | 11.3 | 202 | very hard |
| Versorgungsbereich C | 16.2 | 289 | very hard |
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Stadtwerke Bielefeld publishes weighted means for three supply areas, A, B and C. The median is 228.5 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 201.7 to 289.2 mg/L. The source is a brochure with data from 2019 to 2021, so it is older than most sources on this site; current values may differ.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.8 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Bielefeld GmbH |
How Bielefeld compares
- Tap water in Bielefeld is 11 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 346 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 57 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 58 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Oerlinghausen, 8 km away (8.7 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Herford, 13 km away (17.5 °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 Bielefeld
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| 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 Bielefeld water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 229 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13.3 gpg, 12.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bielefeld 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 Bielefeld water?
13.3 gpg, equal to 12.8 °dH, 22.9 °fH or 229 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bielefeld?
For 229 mg/L (12.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Bielefeld?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Bielefeld: Trinkwasserqualität in Bielefeld (Analysewerte) (2021). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Bielefeld: Trinkwasserqualität in Bielefeld (Analysewerte) · Outdated figure? Tell us