Water hardness in Hechingen
16.2 °dH very hard
Tap water in Hechingen is very hard: 16.2 °dH (288 mg/L · 16.8 gpg · 28.8 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Hechingen – Beschaffenheit und Qualität des Trinkwassers in Hechingen mit Teilorten 2026 (Versorgungszone Tabelle Wasserqualität) (2026-06) · data checked 2026-11-03
Range across supply zones: 212–320 mg/L.
10 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bechtoldsweiler | 17.1 | 305 | very hard |
| Beuren | 17.1 | 305 | very hard |
| Boll | 15.9 | 284 | very hard |
| Obere Zone (Hochzone) | 11.9 | 212 | very hard |
| Schlatt | 16.4 | 293 | very hard |
| Sickingen | 13.2 | 236 | very hard |
| Stein | 17.1 | 305 | very hard |
| Stetten | 17.9 | 320 | very hard |
| Untere Zone (Niederzone) | 15.9 | 284 | very hard |
| Weilheim | 14.2 | 254 | very hard |
Stadtwerke Hechingen publishes a 2026 table for ten zones, with a lab report for the Hochzone from June 2026. Values run from 212.4 mg/L CaCO₃ in the Obere Zone to 319.5 mg/L in Stetten, with a median of 288.3 mg/L in the very hard category. Sickingen is at 235.6 mg/L and Schlatt at 292.7 mg/L, so look up your own district before sizing a softener.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 16.2 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Hechingen |
How Hechingen compares
- Tap water in Hechingen is 40 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 217 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 73 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 46 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bodelshausen, 4 km away (12.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bad Saulgau, 54 km away (21.2 °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 Hechingen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Hechingen water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 288 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.8 gpg, 16.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Hechingen 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 Hechingen water?
16.8 gpg, equal to 16.2 °dH, 28.8 °fH or 288 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Hechingen?
For 288 mg/L (16.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Hechingen?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Hechingen – Beschaffenheit und Qualität des Trinkwassers in Hechingen mit Teilorten 2026 (Versorgungszone Tabelle Wasserqualität) (2026-06). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Hechingen – Beschaffenheit und Qualität des Trinkwassers in Hechingen mit Teilorten 2026 (Versorgungszone Tabelle Wasserqualität) · Outdated figure? Tell us