Water hardness in Bretten
18 °dH very hard
Tap water in Bretten is very hard: 18 °dH (321 mg/L · 18.8 gpg · 32.1 °fH).
Source: KraichgauWasser – Wasserqualität (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
KraichgauWasser, run by Stadtwerke Bretten, publishes a water quality page with a hardness of 321.3 mg/L CaCO₃. No zone breakdown is given there. Leonberg (158.9 mg/L) is much softer, while Karlsruhe (329.3 mg/L) and Sinsheim (354.3 mg/L) are close to Bretten.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 18 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Bretten (KraichgauWasser) |
How Bretten compares
- Tap water in Bretten is 57 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 148 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 81 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 28 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Maulbronn, 8 km away (9.1 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Vaihingen an der Enz, 21 km away (28 °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 Bretten
| 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 Bretten water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 321 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18.8 gpg, 18 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bretten 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 Bretten water?
18.8 gpg, equal to 18 °dH, 32.1 °fH or 321 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bretten?
For 321 mg/L (18 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Bretten?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: KraichgauWasser – Wasserqualität (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. KraichgauWasser – Wasserqualität · Outdated figure? Tell us