Water hardness in Kassel
10.9 °dH very hard
Tap water in Kassel is very hard: 10.9 °dH (195 mg/L · 11.4 gpg · 19.5 °fH).
Source: Kasselwasser Trinkwasseranalyse Hochbehälter Hunrod (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 159–196 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hochbehälter Hunrod | 10.9 | 195 | very hard |
| Hochbehälter Kratzenberg | 8.9 | 159 | hard |
| Hochbehälter Lindenkopf | 11 | 196 | very hard |
KASSELWASSER publishes analyses per service reservoir. The three listed give 158.9 mg/L CaCO₃ (Kratzenberg), 194.6 mg/L (Hunrod) and 196.4 mg/L (Lindenkopf), and the city figure is 194.6 mg/L. The values are measured, but the reservoir behind your tap decides the exact figure. Göttingen to the north is softer at 124.1 mg/L, while Northeim is much harder at 462.3 mg/L.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 10.9 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 58.5 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 12 |
| Utility | KASSELWASSER |
How Kassel compares
- Tap water in Kassel is 5 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 445 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 45 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Hessen it is number 36 of 73 cities; the regional median is 10.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Lohfelden, 6 km away (7.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Marsberg, 47 km away (20.6 °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 Kassel
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °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 Kassel water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 195 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.4 gpg, 10.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Kassel 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 Kassel water?
11.4 gpg, equal to 10.9 °dH, 19.5 °fH or 195 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Kassel?
For 195 mg/L (10.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Kassel?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Kasselwasser Trinkwasseranalyse Hochbehälter Hunrod (2026). Method: own measurement. Kasselwasser Trinkwasseranalyse Hochbehälter Hunrod · Outdated figure? Tell us