Water hardness in Northeim
25.9 °dH very hard
Tap water in Northeim is very hard: 25.9 °dH (462 mg/L · 27 gpg · 46.2 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Northeim – Wasserhärte (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 432–493 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasseranalyse Northeim I (Kernstadt und mehrere Ortsteile) | 24.2 | 432 | very hard |
| Wasseranalyse Northeim II (Denkershausen, Imbshausen, Lagershausen, Langenholtensen) | 27.6 | 493 | very hard |
Stadtwerke Northeim publishes two analyses. Northeim I, covering the core town and several districts, is at 432.0 mg/L CaCO₃, and Northeim II, covering Denkershausen, Imbshausen, Lagershausen and Langenholtensen, at 492.7 mg/L. The city figure is 462.3 mg/L. Göttingen, 19 km away, is listed at 124.1 mg/L.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 25.9 °dH |
|---|---|
| mmol_l | 4.92 |
| Utility | Stadtwerke Northeim |
How Northeim compares
- Tap water in Northeim is 125 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 10 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 99 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Niedersachsen it is number 4 of 94 cities; the regional median is 7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Katlenburg-Lindau, 5 km away (18.9 °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 Northeim
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 26 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 6 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S4 |
| 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 Northeim water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 462 mg/L as CaCO₃ (27 gpg, 25.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Northeim 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 Northeim water?
27 gpg, equal to 25.9 °dH, 46.2 °fH or 462 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Northeim?
For 462 mg/L (25.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Northeim?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Northeim – Wasserhärte (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Northeim – Wasserhärte · Outdated figure? Tell us