Water hardness in Eschborn
15.6 °dH very hard
Tap water in Eschborn is very hard: 15.6 °dH (278 mg/L · 16.3 gpg · 27.8 °fH).
Source: Stadt Eschborn – Prüfbericht Trinkwasser Ortsnetz Tiefzone 2 (06.05.2025) (2025) · data checked 2026-11-02
Stadt Eschborn's test report for the Tiefzone 2 network, dated 6 May 2025, measured 278.3 mg/L CaCO₃, with calcium at 80.4 mg/L and magnesium at 18.9 mg/L. The report covers one zone only, so other parts of town may differ. Oberursel, six kilometres away, reports 93.4 mg/L, a good reminder to check your own network zone.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15.6 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 80.4 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 18.9 |
| Utility | Stadtwerke Eschborn |
How Eschborn compares
- Tap water in Eschborn is 36 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 241 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 70 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Hessen it is number 24 of 73 cities; the regional median is 10.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Oberursel (Taunus), 6 km away (5.2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Hofheim am Taunus, 11 km away (19.7 °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 Eschborn
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| 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 Eschborn water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 278 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.3 gpg, 15.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Eschborn 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 Eschborn water?
16.3 gpg, equal to 15.6 °dH, 27.8 °fH or 278 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Eschborn?
For 278 mg/L (15.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Eschborn?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Eschborn – Prüfbericht Trinkwasser Ortsnetz Tiefzone 2 (06.05.2025) (2025). Method: own measurement. Stadt Eschborn – Prüfbericht Trinkwasser Ortsnetz Tiefzone 2 (06.05.2025) · Outdated figure? Tell us