Water hardness in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
10.7 °dH very hard
Tap water in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is very hard: 10.7 °dH (191 mg/L · 11.2 gpg · 19.1 °fH).
Source: Gemeindewerke Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Wasseranalysen (2026-05) · data checked 2026-10-24
Range across supply zones: 152–230 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Burgrain, Kaltenbrunn und Gem. Farchant | 8.5 | 152 | hard |
| Griesen | 12.9 | 230 | very hard |
Gemeindewerke Garmisch-Partenkirchen publishes its water analyses online, with a May 2026 entry covering two supply zones. The main zone, which includes Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Burgrain, Kaltenbrunn and the municipality of Farchant, is at 151.7 mg/L CaCO₃, while Griesen is at 230.3 mg/L. The city figure of 191.0 mg/L is the median of those two, so your street may be well above or below it. The nearest cities in our data are 56 km or more away and are much harder, so they are a poor guide here.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 10.7 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Gemeindewerke Garmisch-Partenkirchen |
How Garmisch-Partenkirchen compares
- Tap water in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is 7 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 451 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 44 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 105 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Emmering, 78 km away (5.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Oberammergau, 12 km away (14.1 °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 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| 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 Garmisch-Partenkirchen water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 191 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.2 gpg, 10.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Garmisch-Partenkirchen 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 Garmisch-Partenkirchen water?
11.2 gpg, equal to 10.7 °dH, 19.1 °fH or 191 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
For 191 mg/L (10.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Gemeindewerke Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Wasseranalysen (2026-05). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Gemeindewerke Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Wasseranalysen · Outdated figure? Tell us