Water hardness in Erkelenz
14.1 °dH very hard
Tap water in Erkelenz is very hard: 14.1 °dH (251 mg/L · 14.7 gpg · 25.1 °fH).
Source: Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, Härtewerte nach Versorgungsbereich (2026-10) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 249–253 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Versorgungsgebiet Erkelenz | 14.2 | 253 | very hard |
| Versorgungsgebiet Uevekoven | 14 | 249 | very hard |
Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg lists hardness by supply area, and the two areas touching Erkelenz are close: 253.2 mg/L CaCO₃ for Erkelenz itself and 249.2 mg/L for Uevekoven. The city figure of 251.2 mg/L is the midpoint, which puts the water firmly in the very hard category. The utility's source page does not describe the raw water here, so check its notice for your street if you plan to size a softener.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14.1 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg |
How Erkelenz compares
- Tap water in Erkelenz is 22 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 296 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 63 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 40 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Wegberg, 7 km away (10.7 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Pulheim, 35 km away (18.1 °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 Erkelenz
| 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 Erkelenz water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 251 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.7 gpg, 14.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Erkelenz 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 Erkelenz water?
14.7 gpg, equal to 14.1 °dH, 25.1 °fH or 251 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Erkelenz?
For 251 mg/L (14.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Erkelenz?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, Härtewerte nach Versorgungsbereich (2026-10). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, Härtewerte nach Versorgungsbereich · Outdated figure? Tell us