Water hardness in Krefeld
13 °dH very hard
Tap water in Krefeld is very hard: 13 °dH (232 mg/L · 13.6 gpg · 23.2 °fH).
Source: NGN Unser Trinkwasser – Jahresdurchschnittsanalysedaten 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 221–243 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasserwerk Gladbacher Straße (westliches Stadtgebiet, Hüls) | 13.6 | 243 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk In der Elt (östliche Stadtteile) | 12.4 | 221 | very hard |
NGN, the network company of SWK, reports 2025 annual averages for two waterworks in Krefeld. Gladbacher Straße, which supplies the western districts including Hüls, is at 243.2 mg/L CaCO₃. In der Elt, serving the eastern districts, is at 221.2 mg/L. The city figure is 232.2 mg/L, so the whole city falls in the very hard category.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 13 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 67 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 12.7 |
| Utility | NGN Netzgesellschaft Niederrhein mbH (SWK) |
How Krefeld compares
- Tap water in Krefeld is 13 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 334 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 59 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 52 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Mülheim an der Ruhr, 23 km away (8.3 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ratingen, 19 km away (19.1 °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 Krefeld
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| 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 Krefeld water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 232 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13.6 gpg, 13 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Krefeld 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 Krefeld water?
13.6 gpg, equal to 13 °dH, 23.2 °fH or 232 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Krefeld?
For 232 mg/L (13 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Krefeld?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: NGN Unser Trinkwasser – Jahresdurchschnittsanalysedaten 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. NGN Unser Trinkwasser – Jahresdurchschnittsanalysedaten 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us