Water hardness in Hansestadt Stade
11.5 °dH very hard
Tap water in Hansestadt Stade is very hard: 11.5 °dH (205 mg/L · 12 gpg · 20.5 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Stade GmbH - Trinkwasseranalysewerte Versorgungsgebiet, Stand Juni 2025 (2025-06) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 196–214 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Netz Wasserwerk Hohenwedel | 12 | 214 | very hard |
| Netz Wasserwerk Stade-Süd | 11 | 196 | very hard |
Stadtwerke Stade publishes drinking-water analyses for its supply area, here the June 2025 edition. Two networks are listed: the Hohenwedel waterworks at 214.2 mg/L CaCO₃ and the Stade-Süd waterworks at 196.4 mg/L, giving a city figure of 205.3 mg/L. Both are in the very hard band, with only a modest gap between them. Check which network serves your street if you want the more precise value.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 11.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Stade GmbH |
How Hansestadt Stade compares
- Tap water in Hansestadt Stade is close to the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 401 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 50 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Niedersachsen it is number 16 of 94 cities; the regional median is 7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Glückstadt, 22 km away (7.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Elmshorn, 21 km away (14.5 °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 Hansestadt Stade
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| 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 Hansestadt Stade water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 205 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12 gpg, 11.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Hansestadt Stade 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 Hansestadt Stade water?
12 gpg, equal to 11.5 °dH, 20.5 °fH or 205 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Hansestadt Stade?
For 205 mg/L (11.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Hansestadt Stade?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Stade GmbH - Trinkwasseranalysewerte Versorgungsgebiet, Stand Juni 2025 (2025-06). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Stade GmbH - Trinkwasseranalysewerte Versorgungsgebiet, Stand Juni 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us