Water hardness in Meerbusch
12.5 °dH very hard
Tap water in Meerbusch is very hard: 12.5 °dH (223 mg/L · 13 gpg · 22.3 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Meerbusch – Härtegrad (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 207–239 mg/L.
Stadtwerke Meerbusch publishes hardness as a range of 2.1 to 2.4 mmol/L, which converts to 207.1 to 238.8 mg/L CaCO₃. The city figure of 222.9 mg/L is computed from that range. Düsseldorf next door is harder at 267.8 mg/L, while Haan to the south is far softer at 96.4 mg/L.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| mmol_range | 2.1-2.4 |
| Utility | Stadtwerke Meerbusch GmbH |
How Meerbusch compares
- Tap water in Meerbusch is 9 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 368 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 55 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 61 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Haan, 16 km away (5.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ratingen, 9 km away (19.1 °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 Meerbusch
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Meerbusch water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 223 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13 gpg, 12.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Meerbusch 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 Meerbusch water?
13 gpg, equal to 12.5 °dH, 22.3 °fH or 223 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Meerbusch?
For 223 mg/L (12.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Meerbusch?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Meerbusch – Härtegrad (2026). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Stadtwerke Meerbusch – Härtegrad · Outdated figure? Tell us