Water hardness in Frankfurt (Oder)
18.6 °dH very hard
Tap water in Frankfurt (Oder) is very hard: 18.6 °dH (332 mg/L · 19.4 gpg · 33.2 °fH).
Source: FWA mbH Wasserqualität, Wasserwerk Briesen Jahresauswertung 2025 (annual means) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-21
FWA mbH, the local water and wastewater company, publishes annual means for the Briesen waterworks. The 2025 figure is 332.3 mg/L CaCO₃, close to Berlin's 328.4 mg/L, 80 km away. The source gives no single-zone breakdown, so we show one value for the city. A descaler or softener is worth pricing if you have a boiler or a dishwasher.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 18.6 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | FWA mbH (Frankfurter Wasser- und Abwassergesellschaft) |
How Frankfurt (Oder) compares
- Tap water in Frankfurt (Oder) is 62 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 120 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 85 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Brandenburg it is number 5 of 15 cities; the regional median is 16 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Eisenhüttenstadt, 22 km away (12.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Lübbenau/Spreewald, 66 km away (25 °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 Frankfurt (Oder)
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °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 Frankfurt (Oder) water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 332 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.4 gpg, 18.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Frankfurt (Oder) 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 Frankfurt (Oder) water?
19.4 gpg, equal to 18.6 °dH, 33.2 °fH or 332 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Frankfurt (Oder)?
For 332 mg/L (18.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Frankfurt (Oder)?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: FWA mbH Wasserqualität, Wasserwerk Briesen Jahresauswertung 2025 (annual means) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. FWA mbH Wasserqualität, Wasserwerk Briesen Jahresauswertung 2025 (annual means) · Outdated figure? Tell us