Water hardness in Eltville am Rhein
18.4 °dH very hard
Tap water in Eltville am Rhein is very hard: 18.4 °dH (329 mg/L · 19.2 gpg · 32.9 °fH).
Source: Rheingauwasser GmbH, Trinkwasseruntersuchungen: Veröffentlichung TW-Analyse 2024 (Kurzversion), hosted by Gemeinde Walluf (2024) · data checked 2026-11-03
Range across supply zones: 325–334 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Eltville-Kern | 18.2 | 325 | very hard |
| Obersetzling/Wiesweg | 18.7 | 334 | very hard |
Rheingauwasser GmbH lists hardness by supply area in its 2024 analysis. We use two areas, Eltville-Kern and Obersetzling/Wiesweg, which give a median of 329.3 mg/L CaCO₃ within a narrow range of 324.9 to 333.8 mg/L. The utility also serves other districts that are not in this figure, so outer districts may differ. The report dates from 2024 and no 2025 version was found.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 18.4 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Rheingauwasser GmbH |
How Eltville am Rhein compares
- Tap water in Eltville am Rhein is 60 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 130 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 84 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bad Schwalbach, 12 km away (13.1 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Limburg an der Lahn, 40 km away (23.3 °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 Eltville am Rhein
| 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 Eltville am Rhein water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 329 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.2 gpg, 18.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Eltville am Rhein 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 Eltville am Rhein water?
19.2 gpg, equal to 18.4 °dH, 32.9 °fH or 329 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Eltville am Rhein?
For 329 mg/L (18.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Eltville am Rhein?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Rheingauwasser GmbH, Trinkwasseruntersuchungen: Veröffentlichung TW-Analyse 2024 (Kurzversion), hosted by Gemeinde Walluf (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Rheingauwasser GmbH, Trinkwasseruntersuchungen: Veröffentlichung TW-Analyse 2024 (Kurzversion), hosted by Gemeinde Walluf · Outdated figure? Tell us