Water hardness in Penzberg
19.2 °dH very hard
Tap water in Penzberg is very hard: 19.2 °dH (343 mg/L · 20 gpg · 34.3 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Penzberg - Trinkwasser web page (undated) (2026) · data checked 2026-11-03
Stadtwerke Penzberg supplies the town from its own wells and prints a hardness of about 19.2 °dH, which is 342.7 mg/L CaCO₃, on its drinking-water page. The page carries no analysis date, and the page footer year is the only date available, so the age of the value cannot be confirmed. The figure is read as citywide from the page wording; it will be re-checked on the next refresh.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 19.2 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Penzberg (Kommunalunternehmen, own wells) |
How Penzberg compares
- Tap water in Penzberg is 67 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 93 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 88 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 31 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Oberammergau, 29 km away (14.1 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ampfing, 95 km away (26 °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 Penzberg
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Penzberg water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 343 mg/L as CaCO₃ (20 gpg, 19.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Penzberg 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 Penzberg water?
20 gpg, equal to 19.2 °dH, 34.3 °fH or 343 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Penzberg?
For 343 mg/L (19.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Penzberg?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Penzberg - Trinkwasser web page (undated) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Penzberg - Trinkwasser web page (undated) · Outdated figure? Tell us