Water hardness in Geesthacht
10.4 °dH very hard
Tap water in Geesthacht is very hard: 10.4 °dH (186 mg/L · 10.8 gpg · 18.6 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Geesthacht (2025-03) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 175–196 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oberstadt (Wasserwerk Richtweg) | 11 | 196 | very hard |
| Unterstadt (Wasserwerk Kruemmel) | 9.8 | 175 | hard |
Stadtwerke Geesthacht reports two supply areas. The Oberstadt, served from the Richtweg waterworks, is at 196.4 mg/L CaCO₃, and the Unterstadt, served from the Krümmel waterworks, at 174.9 mg/L. The city figure of 185.6 mg/L lies between them. The gap is small, so the difference at home is modest.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 10.4 °dH |
|---|
How Geesthacht compares
- Tap water in Geesthacht is 10 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 470 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 42 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Schleswig-Holstein it is number 19 of 26 cities; the regional median is 12 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Büchen, 17 km away (6.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Boizenburg, 23 km away (14.4 °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 Geesthacht
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 10 °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 Geesthacht water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 186 mg/L as CaCO₃ (10.8 gpg, 10.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Geesthacht 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 Geesthacht water?
10.8 gpg, equal to 10.4 °dH, 18.6 °fH or 186 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Geesthacht?
For 186 mg/L (10.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Geesthacht?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Geesthacht (2025-03). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Geesthacht · Outdated figure? Tell us