Water hardness in Remscheid
5.1 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Remscheid is moderately hard: 5.1 °dH (91 mg/L · 5.3 gpg · 9.1 °fH).
Source: EWR Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (PDF, Wasserhärte table) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
EWR publishes an annual analysis for the whole of Remscheid, and the 2025 edition gives 91.0 mg/L CaCO₃. The supply is labelled as Dhünntalsperre water, a surface-water source rather than groundwater, and the value is in the soft-to-moderate range. The PDF prints no sampling date, only the year, so treat the figure as a 2025 annual value. Scale is modest, but kettles still need occasional descaling.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 5.1 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | EWR GmbH (Energie und Wasser für Remscheid) |
How Remscheid compares
- Tap water in Remscheid is 56 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 734 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 9 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 140 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Sprockhövel, 9 km away (3.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Wülfrath, 16 km away (8.2 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Remscheid
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Remscheid water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 91 mg/L as CaCO₃ (5.3 gpg, 5.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Remscheid 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 Remscheid water?
5.3 gpg, equal to 5.1 °dH, 9.1 °fH or 91 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Remscheid?
For 91 mg/L (5.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Remscheid?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: EWR Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (PDF, Wasserhärte table) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. EWR Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (PDF, Wasserhärte table) · Outdated figure? Tell us