Water hardness in Emmerich am Rhein
12.3 °dH very hard
Tap water in Emmerich am Rhein is very hard: 12.3 °dH (220 mg/L · 12.8 gpg · 22 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Emmerich GmbH, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (IWW) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Stadtwerke Emmerich publishes the 2026 drinking water analysis from the IWW institute, with a hardness of 219.6 mg/L CaCO₃, which is very hard. The document does not name the source of the water, so we leave that out. Kleve, only 9 km away, reports 115.8 mg/L, which shows how much the hardness can change between towns on the Lower Rhine. Expect regular scale on kettles and taps.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Emmerich GmbH |
How Emmerich am Rhein compares
- Tap water in Emmerich am Rhein is 7 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 373 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 54 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 62 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Kleve, 9 km away (6.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Rhede, 31 km away (19.1 °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 Emmerich am Rhein
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Emmerich am Rhein water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 220 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.8 gpg, 12.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Emmerich 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 Emmerich am Rhein water?
12.8 gpg, equal to 12.3 °dH, 22 °fH or 220 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Emmerich am Rhein?
For 220 mg/L (12.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Emmerich am Rhein?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Emmerich GmbH, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (IWW) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Emmerich GmbH, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (IWW) · Outdated figure? Tell us