Water hardness in Prenzlau
20.8 °dH very hard
Tap water in Prenzlau is very hard: 20.8 °dH (371 mg/L · 21.7 gpg · 37.1 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Prenzlau – Härtegrad / Trinkwasseranalyse (2026) · data checked 2026-11-02
Stadtwerke Prenzlau reports 371.3 mg/L CaCO₃ for its drinking water, with calcium at 111 mg/L and magnesium at 25 mg/L. That is well above Neubrandenburg (307.0 mg/L) and the highest figure among the towns around it in our data. Scale builds up quickly in kettles and hot-water boilers, so regular descaling is practical.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 20.8 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 111 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 25 |
| Utility | Stadtwerke Prenzlau GmbH |
How Prenzlau compares
- Tap water in Prenzlau is 81 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 53 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 93 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Brandenburg it is number 3 of 15 cities; the regional median is 16 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Torgelow, 18 km away (6.1 °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 Prenzlau
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 21 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Prenzlau water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 371 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.7 gpg, 20.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Prenzlau 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 Prenzlau water?
21.7 gpg, equal to 20.8 °dH, 37.1 °fH or 371 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Prenzlau?
For 371 mg/L (20.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Prenzlau?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Prenzlau – Härtegrad / Trinkwasseranalyse (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Prenzlau – Härtegrad / Trinkwasseranalyse · Outdated figure? Tell us