Water hardness in Hückelhoven
14 °dH very hard
Tap water in Hückelhoven is very hard: 14 °dH (249 mg/L · 14.6 gpg · 24.9 °fH).
Source: Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, Härtewerte nach Versorgungsbereich (2026-10) · data checked 2026-10-29
Hückelhoven is supplied by Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, which reports 249.2 mg/L CaCO₃ for the area. That is in the very hard category, and kettles, showerheads and steam irons will scale up without regular descaling. The utility's page lists values by supply area, so confirm the figure for your street there.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg |
How Hückelhoven compares
- Tap water in Hückelhoven is 21 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 301 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 63 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 41 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Heinsberg, 8 km away (8.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Pulheim, 41 km away (18.1 °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 Hückelhoven
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| 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 Hückelhoven water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 249 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.6 gpg, 14 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Hückelhoven 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 Hückelhoven water?
14.6 gpg, equal to 14 °dH, 24.9 °fH or 249 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Hückelhoven?
For 249 mg/L (14 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Hückelhoven?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, Härtewerte nach Versorgungsbereich (2026-10). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Kreiswasserwerk Heinsberg, Härtewerte nach Versorgungsbereich · Outdated figure? Tell us