Water hardness in Marktoberdorf
19 °dH very hard
Tap water in Marktoberdorf is very hard: 19 °dH (340 mg/L · 19.9 gpg · 34 °fH).
Source: Stadt Marktoberdorf - Zusammenstellung der Wasseruntersuchungen 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-03
Range across supply zones: 316–359 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wassergewinnungsanlage Bertoldshofen | 19.8 | 353 | very hard |
| Wassergewinnungsanlage Eschenau | 18.3 | 327 | very hard |
| Wassergewinnungsanlage Kirchthal | 17.7 | 316 | very hard |
| Wassergewinnungsanlage Sulzschneid | 20.1 | 359 | very hard |
The town's water utility draws from four of its own extraction plants: Kirchthal, Bertoldshofen, Eschenau and Sulzschneid. The 2025 summary of analyses puts them close together, so the median is 340.0 mg/L CaCO₃ within a range of 315.9 to 358.8 mg/L. All four fall in the German hardness range 3 (hard), so a softener or descaling routine makes sense in any part of town.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 19 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadt Marktoberdorf, Wasserversorgung |
How Marktoberdorf compares
- Tap water in Marktoberdorf is 66 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 102 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 87 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 34 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Füssen, 23 km away (11.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Tuntenhausen, 111 km away (23.9 °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 Marktoberdorf
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| 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 Marktoberdorf water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 340 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.9 gpg, 19 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Marktoberdorf 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 Marktoberdorf water?
19.9 gpg, equal to 19 °dH, 34 °fH or 340 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Marktoberdorf?
For 340 mg/L (19 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Marktoberdorf?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Marktoberdorf - Zusammenstellung der Wasseruntersuchungen 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt Marktoberdorf - Zusammenstellung der Wasseruntersuchungen 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us