Water hardness in Donauwörth
17.3 °dH very hard
Tap water in Donauwörth is very hard: 17.3 °dH (309 mg/L · 18 gpg · 30.9 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Donauwörth - Trinkwasseruntersuchung Prüfbericht PB25-15753 (Labor Dr. Scheller, 24.11.2025) (2025-11) · data checked 2026-11-03
The city's Stadtwerke supply Donauwörth with drinking water, and the page value of 308.8 mg/L CaCO₃ comes from a single laboratory report of 24 November 2025, not an annual average. The utility's own web page prints a slightly lower figure without a date, which is consistent with it. Expect hard scale on kettles and heating elements, and treat the figure as a good estimate rather than a guarantee for every tap.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 17.3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Donauwörth (Wasserversorgung) |
How Donauwörth compares
- Tap water in Donauwörth is 50 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 174 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 78 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 55 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Buttenwiesen, 13 km away (13.7 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Höchstädt an der Donau, 20 km away (21.8 °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 Donauwörth
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 17 °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 Donauwörth water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 309 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18 gpg, 17.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Donauwörth 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 Donauwörth water?
18 gpg, equal to 17.3 °dH, 30.9 °fH or 309 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Donauwörth?
For 309 mg/L (17.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Donauwörth?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Donauwörth - Trinkwasseruntersuchung Prüfbericht PB25-15753 (Labor Dr. Scheller, 24.11.2025) (2025-11). Method: own measurement. Stadtwerke Donauwörth - Trinkwasseruntersuchung Prüfbericht PB25-15753 (Labor Dr. Scheller, 24.11.2025) · Outdated figure? Tell us