Water hardness in Kiel
16.9 °dH very hard
Tap water in Kiel is very hard: 16.9 °dH (301 mg/L · 17.6 gpg · 30.1 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Kiel AG: Wasserqualität (2026-01) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 204–343 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasserwerk Pries | 11.4 | 204 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Schulensee | 15.7 | 280 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Schwentinental | 18 | 321 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk Wik | 19.2 | 343 | very hard |
Stadtwerke Kiel reports hardness for four waterworks, Schulensee, Schwentinental, Pries and Wik, from an analysis of January 2026. The median is 300.8 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 203.5 to 342.7 mg/L, with Pries the softest. Which works feeds your street determines the value, so check with the utility.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 16.9 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Kiel AG |
How Kiel compares
- Tap water in Kiel is 47 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 193 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 76 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Schleswig-Holstein it is number 3 of 26 cities; the regional median is 12 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nortorf, 25 km away (8.7 °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 Kiel
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 17 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| 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 Kiel water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 301 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17.6 gpg, 16.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Kiel 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 Kiel water?
17.6 gpg, equal to 16.9 °dH, 30.1 °fH or 301 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Kiel?
For 301 mg/L (16.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Kiel?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Kiel AG: Wasserqualität (2026-01). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Kiel AG: Wasserqualität · Outdated figure? Tell us