Water hardness in Marsberg
20.6 °dH very hard
Tap water in Marsberg is very hard: 20.6 °dH (368 mg/L · 21.5 gpg · 36.8 °fH).
Source: Stadt Marsberg – Wasserqualität / Wasserhärte je Stadtteil (2026) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 237–400 mg/L.
8 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Beringhausen, Padberg | 13.3 | 237 | very hard |
| Bredelar | 21.9 | 391 | very hard |
| Essentho | 21.7 | 387 | very hard |
| Giershagen | 19 | 339 | very hard |
| Helminghausen | 13.7 | 245 | very hard |
| Niedermarsberg, Obermarsberg, Canstein, Leitmar, Udorf, Borntosten, Erlinghausen, Heddinghausen, Meerhof | 22.4 | 400 | very hard |
| Oesdorf | 20.7 | 370 | very hard |
| Westheim | 20.5 | 366 | very hard |
Stadt Marsberg publishes hardness for eight districts, ranging from 237.4 mg/L CaCO₃ in Beringhausen and Padberg to 399.8 mg/L in Niedermarsberg, Obermarsberg and several neighbouring villages. The city figure of 367.7 mg/L is the median. Bredelar and Essentho are also above 380 mg/L. Check your district on the utility's page, since nearby Schmallenberg has only 76.7 mg/L.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 20.6 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Marsberg |
How Marsberg compares
- Tap water in Marsberg is 79 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 57 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 93 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 9 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bad Arolsen, 15 km away (11 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Hameln, 79 km away (27.8 °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 Marsberg
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 21 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| 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 Marsberg water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 368 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.5 gpg, 20.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Marsberg 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 Marsberg water?
21.5 gpg, equal to 20.6 °dH, 36.8 °fH or 368 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Marsberg?
For 368 mg/L (20.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Marsberg?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Marsberg – Wasserqualität / Wasserhärte je Stadtteil (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt Marsberg – Wasserqualität / Wasserhärte je Stadtteil · Outdated figure? Tell us