Water hardness in Neuss
15 °dH very hard
Tap water in Neuss is very hard: 15 °dH (268 mg/L · 15.6 gpg · 26.8 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Neuss Energie und Wasser GmbH, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (2026) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 262–274 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuss-Nord | 14.7 | 262 | very hard |
| Neuss-Süd | 15.4 | 274 | very hard |
Stadtwerke Neuss Energie und Wasser publishes a 2026 analysis for two areas, Neuss-Nord and Neuss-Süd. The median is 267.9 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 261.7 to 274.2 mg/L, so the two areas differ very little. The document gives the year but no issue date. Expect limescale throughout the city.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Neuss Energie und Wasser GmbH |
How Neuss compares
- Tap water in Neuss is 30 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 257 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 68 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 25 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Dormagen, 16 km away (11.2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ratingen, 16 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 Neuss
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 15 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Neuss water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 268 mg/L as CaCO₃ (15.6 gpg, 15 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Neuss 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 Neuss water?
15.6 gpg, equal to 15 °dH, 26.8 °fH or 268 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Neuss?
For 268 mg/L (15 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Neuss?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Neuss Energie und Wasser GmbH, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (2026). Method: own measurement. Stadtwerke Neuss Energie und Wasser GmbH, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us