Water hardness in Lünen
7.8 °dH hard
Tap water in Lünen is hard: 7.8 °dH (139 mg/L · 8.1 gpg · 13.9 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Lünen, Trinkwasser-Qualität (Trinkwasseranalyse_Haltern_2025.pdf) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 129–202 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Beckinghausen (Wasserwerk Echthausen) | 7.2 | 129 | hard |
| Brambauer north of Mengeder Straße and west of Waltroper Straße (Wasserwerk Haltern) | 11.3 | 202 | very hard |
| Brambauer south of Mengeder Straße and east of Waltroper Straße, Alstedde, Gahmen, Horstmar, Lünen-Süd, Niederaden, Nord-/Altlünen, Stadtmitte, Wethmar, Lippholthausen (Wasserwerk Halingen) | 7.8 | 139 | hard |
Stadtwerke Lünen lists three supply zones, fed from the Haltern, Halingen and Echthausen waterworks. The median is 139.2 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range runs from 128.5 to 201.7 mg/L, with the Haltern zone in the north of Brambauer the hardest. The utility page is undated, so the 2025 year is taken from its file names. Match your street to the zone list before choosing a descaler.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 7.8 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Lünen GmbH |
How Lünen compares
- Tap water in Lünen is 32 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 579 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 28 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 112 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Reken, 41 km away (3.8 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Waltrop, 8 km away (11.3 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
What it means at home
- Fast scale on taps, shower screens and kettle; white spots on glassware.
- Water heater: efficiency loss and element failures within years if unprotected.
- Dry skin and dull hair after showering are common.
- Softener recommended; jug or reverse osmosis for drinking.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Recommended, especially with a heater or boiler: scale cuts efficiency and shortens its life.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 2 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Lünen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H01 |
| Miele | 8 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| 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 Lünen water hard or soft?
It is hard: 139 mg/L as CaCO₃ (8.1 gpg, 7.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Lünen 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 Lünen water?
8.1 gpg, equal to 7.8 °dH, 13.9 °fH or 139 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Lünen?
For 139 mg/L (7.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Lünen?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Lünen, Trinkwasser-Qualität (Trinkwasseranalyse_Haltern_2025.pdf) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Lünen, Trinkwasser-Qualität (Trinkwasseranalyse_Haltern_2025.pdf) · Outdated figure? Tell us