Water hardness in Memmingen
20.5 °dH very hard
Tap water in Memmingen is very hard: 20.5 °dH (366 mg/L · 21.4 gpg · 36.6 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Memmingen, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (Labor Dr. Feierabend) (2026-06) · data checked 2026-10-23
Stadtwerke Memmingen publishes its 2026 drinking-water analysis, tested by an external laboratory, with a hardness of 365.9 mg/L CaCO₃. That is very hard and a good deal above nearby Ulm at 239.2 mg/L and Neu-Ulm at 280.2 mg/L. The analysis gives one figure for the town, so we show no range. Limescale is a routine issue in kettles, coffee machines and boilers.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 20.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Memmingen |
How Memmingen compares
- Tap water in Memmingen is 78 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 59 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 93 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 14 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Ochsenhausen, 22 km away (13.7 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Vaihingen an der Enz, 139 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 Memmingen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 20 °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 Memmingen water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 366 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.4 gpg, 20.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Memmingen 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 Memmingen water?
21.4 gpg, equal to 20.5 °dH, 36.6 °fH or 366 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Memmingen?
For 366 mg/L (20.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Memmingen?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Memmingen, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (Labor Dr. Feierabend) (2026-06). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Memmingen, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (Labor Dr. Feierabend) · Outdated figure? Tell us