Water hardness in Griesheim
18.9 °dH very hard
Tap water in Griesheim is very hard: 18.9 °dH (338 mg/L · 19.7 gpg · 33.8 °fH).
Source: Hessenwasser – Analysendaten Trinkwasser Versorgungsgebiet DA und umliegende Gemeinden 2024 (2024) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 328–350 mg/L.
Stadtwerke Griesheim passes on Hessenwasser's 2024 analysis for the Darmstadt supply area, with a computed value of 338.1 mg/L CaCO₃ inside a narrow range of 328.4 to 349.9 mg/L. Calcium is reported at 104 mg/L and magnesium at 19.05 mg/L. The water is very hard everywhere in town, so scale on appliances is a given and a softener is worth sizing.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 18.9 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 104 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 19.05 |
| Utility | Stadtwerke Griesheim (Hessenwasser) |
How Griesheim compares
- Tap water in Griesheim is 65 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 112 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 86 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Hessen it is number 11 of 73 cities; the regional median is 10.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Pfungstadt, 7 km away (12 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Nußloch, 62 km away (31.6 °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 Griesheim
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| 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 Griesheim water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 338 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.7 gpg, 18.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Griesheim 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 Griesheim water?
19.7 gpg, equal to 18.9 °dH, 33.8 °fH or 338 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Griesheim?
For 338 mg/L (18.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Griesheim?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Hessenwasser – Analysendaten Trinkwasser Versorgungsgebiet DA und umliegende Gemeinden 2024 (2024). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Hessenwasser – Analysendaten Trinkwasser Versorgungsgebiet DA und umliegende Gemeinden 2024 · Outdated figure? Tell us