Water hardness in Minden
21.7 °dH very hard
Tap water in Minden is very hard: 21.7 °dH (387 mg/L · 22.6 gpg · 38.7 °fH).
Source: Mindener Stadtwerke (msw), Qualitaet Analyse, Stand 16.02.2026 (2026-02) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 302–473 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasserwerk I | 26.5 | 473 | very hard |
| Wasserwerk IIa | 16.9 | 302 | very hard |
Mindener Stadtwerke reports two waterworks, with a median of 387.3 mg/L CaCO₃ and a range of 301.6 to 473.0 mg/L. Works I is far harder than Works IIa, so the gap between neighbouring streets can be large. The table is dated 16 February 2026 and the utility states the values are computed from calcium, magnesium and potassium. Ask which works feeds your address.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 21.7 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Mindener Stadtwerke (msw) |
How Minden compares
- Tap water in Minden is 89 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 42 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 95 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 7 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Petershagen, 10 km away (15.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Rinteln, 16 km away (28.5 °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 Minden
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 22 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Minden water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 387 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.6 gpg, 21.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Minden 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 Minden water?
22.6 gpg, equal to 21.7 °dH, 38.7 °fH or 387 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Minden?
For 387 mg/L (21.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Minden?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Mindener Stadtwerke (msw), Qualitaet Analyse, Stand 16.02.2026 (2026-02). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Mindener Stadtwerke (msw), Qualitaet Analyse, Stand 16.02.2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us