Water hardness in Malsch
16.3 °dH very hard
Tap water in Malsch is very hard: 16.3 °dH (291 mg/L · 17 gpg · 29.1 °fH).
Source: Wasserversorgung Malsch – Netzprobe Neumalsch, Prüfbericht Probenahme 08.02.2024 (2024) · data checked 2026-11-02
Wasserversorgung Malsch tested a network sample in Neumalsch on 8 February 2024 and measured 291.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with calcium at 104 mg/L and magnesium at 7.6 mg/L. That is very hard, in line with Karlsruhe (329.3 mg/L) and Ettlingen (308.8 mg/L). Gaggenau, 9 km away, is much softer at 133.9 mg/L. The sample comes from one location.
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 |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 104 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 7.6 |
| hardness_mmol_l | 2.91 |
| Utility | Wasserversorgung Malsch |
How Malsch compares
- Tap water in Malsch is 42 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 211 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 74 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 45 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Muggensturm, 4 km away (10.2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Vaihingen an der Enz, 46 km away (28 °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 Malsch
| 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 Malsch water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 291 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 Malsch 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 Malsch water?
17 gpg, equal to 16.3 °dH, 29.1 °fH or 291 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Malsch?
For 291 mg/L (16.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Malsch?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Wasserversorgung Malsch – Netzprobe Neumalsch, Prüfbericht Probenahme 08.02.2024 (2024). Method: own measurement. Wasserversorgung Malsch – Netzprobe Neumalsch, Prüfbericht Probenahme 08.02.2024 · Outdated figure? Tell us