Water hardness in Parchim
14 °dH very hard
Tap water in Parchim is very hard: 14 °dH (250 mg/L · 14.6 gpg · 25 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Parchim, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (Prüfbericht) (2026-01) · data checked 2026-11-03
Stadtwerke Parchim reports 14 °dH for the whole supply area, from a lab report of 6 January 2026. The lab calculated it from 2.5 mmol/L of alkaline earths rather than titrating it, so the method is marked computed. 14 °dH sits exactly on the line between medium and hard, so the band label may differ between sources. The report covers the Ostring works and the Parchim I and III works together, without a split by district.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Parchim GmbH (SWP) |
How Parchim compares
- Tap water in Parchim is 22 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 297 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 63 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern it is number 5 of 7 cities; the regional median is 17.2 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Büchen, 82 km away (6.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Wismar, 58 km away (19.2 °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 Parchim
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| 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 Parchim water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 250 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.6 gpg, 14 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Parchim 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 Parchim water?
14.6 gpg, equal to 14 °dH, 25 °fH or 250 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Parchim?
For 250 mg/L (14 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Parchim?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Parchim, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (Prüfbericht) (2026-01). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Stadtwerke Parchim, Trinkwasseranalyse 2026 (Prüfbericht) · Outdated figure? Tell us