Water hardness in Bremerhaven
9.5 °dH hard
Tap water in Bremerhaven is hard: 9.5 °dH (170 mg/L · 9.9 gpg · 17 °fH).
Source: swb Trinkwasseranalyse Bremerhaven (Probenahme Januar 2026) (2026-01) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 161–204 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasserwerk Bexhövede (Versorgungsbereich südlich der Geeste) | 9.5 | 170 | hard |
| Wasserwerk Langen (Versorgungsbereich nördlich der Geeste) | 9 | 161 | hard |
| Wasserwerk Leherheide (Versorgungsbereich nördlich der Geeste) | 11.4 | 204 | very hard |
swb publishes January 2026 results for three waterworks serving Bremerhaven: Langen, Leherheide and Bexhövede. They give a median of 169.6 mg/L CaCO₃ within a range of 160.7 to 203.5 mg/L, so the differences are small. Leherheide is the hardest of the three. The PDF does not map streets to works, so ask swb which one supplies your address.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 9.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | swb (Wasserwerk Langen) |
How Bremerhaven compares
- Tap water in Bremerhaven is 17 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 500 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 38 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nordenham, 7 km away (6.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bremervörde, 38 km away (14.4 °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 Bremerhaven
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| Miele | 10 °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 Bremerhaven water hard or soft?
It is hard: 170 mg/L as CaCO₃ (9.9 gpg, 9.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bremerhaven 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 Bremerhaven water?
9.9 gpg, equal to 9.5 °dH, 17 °fH or 170 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bremerhaven?
For 170 mg/L (9.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Bremerhaven?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: swb Trinkwasseranalyse Bremerhaven (Probenahme Januar 2026) (2026-01). Method: figure published by the water supplier. swb Trinkwasseranalyse Bremerhaven (Probenahme Januar 2026) · Outdated figure? Tell us