Water hardness in Delbrück
14.2 °dH very hard
Tap water in Delbrück is very hard: 14.2 °dH (254 mg/L · 14.8 gpg · 25.4 °fH).
Source: Stadt Delbrück, Wasserwerk: Härtebereiche (web page, Stand Oktober 2023) (2023-10) · data checked 2026-10-23
The Delbrück municipal waterworks lists a single hardness band for the town on its web page, last updated October 2023, and we use its figure of 253.5 mg/L CaCO₃. That puts Delbrück in the very hard category, harder than Bielefeld and Detmold nearby. The page is older than most of our sources, so check your current annual water notice 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 | 14.2 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadt Delbrück, Wasserwerk |
How Delbrück compares
- Tap water in Delbrück is 23 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 292 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 64 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 39 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Salzkotten, 11 km away (10.3 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Lage, 28 km away (23.5 °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 Delbrück
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Delbrück water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 254 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.8 gpg, 14.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Delbrück 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 Delbrück water?
14.8 gpg, equal to 14.2 °dH, 25.4 °fH or 254 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Delbrück?
For 254 mg/L (14.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Delbrück?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Delbrück, Wasserwerk: Härtebereiche (web page, Stand Oktober 2023) (2023-10). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt Delbrück, Wasserwerk: Härtebereiche (web page, Stand Oktober 2023) · Outdated figure? Tell us