Water hardness in Nuremberg
12.1 °dH very hard
Tap water in Nuremberg is very hard: 12.1 °dH (215 mg/L · 12.6 gpg · 21.5 °fH).
Source: N-ERGIE AG: Trinkwasser-Analysewerte (2026-04) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 170–243 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nord (Netz 3N, DEA Steinplatte) | 11.3 | 202 | very hard |
| Ost (Netz 3O, ON Birnthon) | 9.5 | 170 | hard |
| Süd (Netz 1S, Bauhof Katzwang) | 12.8 | 229 | very hard |
| Zentral (Netz 1Z, DEA Hohe Zone) | 13.6 | 243 | very hard |
N-ERGIE publishes analysis values for four supply networks, Nord, Zentral, Süd and Ost, sampled in February and April 2026. The median is 215.1 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 169.6 to 242.8 mg/L, with Ost the softest. Each value comes from one sample date, so it shows the network level but not seasonal change.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.1 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | N-ERGIE AG |
How Nuremberg compares
- Tap water in Nuremberg is 5 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 380 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 53 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 99 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Heroldsberg, 13 km away (9.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Oberasbach, 7 km away (15.4 °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 Nuremberg
| 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 Nuremberg water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 215 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.6 gpg, 12.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg water?
12.6 gpg, equal to 12.1 °dH, 21.5 °fH or 215 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Nuremberg?
For 215 mg/L (12.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Nuremberg?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: N-ERGIE AG: Trinkwasser-Analysewerte (2026-04). Method: figure published by the water supplier. N-ERGIE AG: Trinkwasser-Analysewerte · Outdated figure? Tell us