Water hardness in Bünde
21.7 °dH very hard
Tap water in Bünde is very hard: 21.7 °dH (388 mg/L · 22.7 gpg · 38.8 °fH).
Source: EWB Trinkwasser-Prüfbericht Wasserwerk Habighorst (HBICON A2601799/02) (2026-02) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 377–407 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rathaus Bünde (213) | 22.8 | 407 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Ahle (076) | 21.1 | 377 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Habighorst (079, Muckener Str.) | 21.7 | 387 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Häver (078, Im Siek) | 21.8 | 389 | very hard |
Energie- und Wasserversorgung Bünde (EWB) supplies the town from several waterworks, and the February 2026 test report for Habighorst is the main source here. Four sampling points are listed, from 376.6 mg/L CaCO₃ at Wasserwerk Ahle to 407.0 mg/L at the town hall, with a town figure of 388.2 mg/L. That is very hard water, and the spread between points is small. The data covers the water at the waterworks and at one tap, not every house connection.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 21.7 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Energie- und Wasserversorgung Bünde GmbH (EWB) |
How Bünde compares
- Tap water in Bünde is 89 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 40 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 95 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 6 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Rahden, 11 km away (5.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Rinteln, 34 km away (28.5 °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 Bünde
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 22 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Bünde water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 388 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.7 gpg, 21.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bünde 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 Bünde water?
22.7 gpg, equal to 21.7 °dH, 38.8 °fH or 388 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bünde?
For 388 mg/L (21.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Bünde?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: EWB Trinkwasser-Prüfbericht Wasserwerk Habighorst (HBICON A2601799/02) (2026-02). Method: figure published by the water supplier. EWB Trinkwasser-Prüfbericht Wasserwerk Habighorst (HBICON A2601799/02) · Outdated figure? Tell us