Water hardness in Lübeck
16.3 °dH very hard
Tap water in Lübeck is very hard: 16.3 °dH (292 mg/L · 17 gpg · 29.2 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Lübeck - Trinkwasserqualität 2025 (PDF) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 270–314 mg/L.
Stadtwerke Lübeck's 2025 water quality report prints a hardness range, not a single value. The range is 269.5 to 314.2 mg/L CaCO₃, and the 291.8 mg/L shown here is the midpoint we computed from it. The report does not split the range by waterworks, so we cannot say which part of the city sits where. Expect limescale on kettles and taps.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 16.3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Lübeck GmbH (SWL) |
How Lübeck compares
- Tap water in Lübeck is 42 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 210 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 74 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Schleswig-Holstein it is number 5 of 26 cities; the regional median is 12 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Wahlstedt, 30 km away (10.6 °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 Lübeck
| 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 Lübeck water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 292 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17 gpg, 16.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Lübeck 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 Lübeck water?
17 gpg, equal to 16.3 °dH, 29.2 °fH or 292 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Lübeck?
For 292 mg/L (16.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Lübeck?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Lübeck - Trinkwasserqualität 2025 (PDF) (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Stadtwerke Lübeck - Trinkwasserqualität 2025 (PDF) · Outdated figure? Tell us