Water hardness in Salzkotten
10.3 °dH very hard
Tap water in Salzkotten is very hard: 10.3 °dH (184 mg/L · 10.7 gpg · 18.4 °fH).
Source: CVUA-OWL Prüfbericht Trinkwasser Stadtwerke Salzkotten 2026 (2026-01) · data checked 2026-11-02
The 2026 test report for Stadtwerke Salzkotten, issued by the CVUA-OWL laboratory, gives 183.9 mg/L CaCO₃ with calcium at 69.7 mg/L. That puts the water in the very hard category, but below Paderborn (284.7 mg/L) and Delbrück (253.5 mg/L) nearby. Descale kettles and coffee machines every few weeks.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 10.3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 69.7 |
| Utility | Stadtwerke Salzkotten |
How Salzkotten compares
- Tap water in Salzkotten is 10 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 473 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 42 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 93 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Welver, 44 km away (7.2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Delbrück, 11 km away (14.2 °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 Salzkotten
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| Miele | 10 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| 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 Salzkotten water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 184 mg/L as CaCO₃ (10.7 gpg, 10.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Salzkotten 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 Salzkotten water?
10.7 gpg, equal to 10.3 °dH, 18.4 °fH or 184 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Salzkotten?
For 184 mg/L (10.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Salzkotten?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: CVUA-OWL Prüfbericht Trinkwasser Stadtwerke Salzkotten 2026 (2026-01). Method: figure published by the water supplier. CVUA-OWL Prüfbericht Trinkwasser Stadtwerke Salzkotten 2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us