Water hardness in Schotten
4.7 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Schotten is moderately hard: 4.7 °dH (84 mg/L · 4.9 gpg · 8.4 °fH).
Source: Wirtschafts- und Versorgungsbetriebe der Stadt Schotten, Amtliche Bekanntmachung Wasserhärtebereiche und Nitratwerte in den Stadtteilen (2024-12) · data checked 2026-11-03
Range across supply zones: 59–141 mg/L.
18 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Betzenrod | 4.5 | 80 | moderately hard |
| Breungeshain | 3.3 | 59 | soft |
| Burkhards | 5.4 | 96 | moderately hard |
| Busenborn | 3.3 | 59 | soft |
| Eichelsachsen | 5.5 | 98 | moderately hard |
| Einartshausen | 7.9 | 141 | hard |
| Eschenrod | 4.8 | 86 | moderately hard |
| Götzen | 4.5 | 80 | moderately hard |
| Hoherodskopf | 3.3 | 59 | soft |
| Kaulstoß | 4.9 | 88 | moderately hard |
| Michelbach | 3.4 | 61 | moderately hard |
| Rainrod | 6 | 107 | moderately hard |
| Rudingshain | 3.4 | 61 | moderately hard |
| Schotten HD 1 | 4.6 | 82 | moderately hard |
| Schotten HD 2 | 3.4 | 61 | moderately hard |
| Schotten ND | 7.8 | 139 | hard |
| Sichenhausen | 4.9 | 88 | moderately hard |
| Wingershausen | 5 | 89 | moderately hard |
Schotten's utility, the Wirtschafts- und Versorgungsbetriebe der Stadt Schotten, published a notice on 19 December 2024 with hardness for 18 districts and pressure zones. All are classed soft, from 3.3 °dH (for example Breungeshain, Busenborn, Hoherodskopf) up to 7.9 °dH (Einartshausen); the Schotten ND zone is 7.8 °dH. The median on this page is unweighted across those entries and does not reflect how many households live in each, so read the range and look up your own district. No newer hardness notice was found, and the notice does not say where the water comes from.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 4.7 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Wirtschafts- und Versorgungsbetriebe der Stadt Schotten |
How Schotten compares
- Tap water in Schotten is 59 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 741 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 8 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Hessen it is number 68 of 73 cities; the regional median is 10.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Eberbach, 105 km away (2.1 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Nidda, 9 km away (9.7 °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 Schotten
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| 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 Schotten water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 84 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.9 gpg, 4.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Schotten 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 Schotten water?
4.9 gpg, equal to 4.7 °dH, 8.4 °fH or 84 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Schotten?
For 84 mg/L (4.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Schotten?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Wirtschafts- und Versorgungsbetriebe der Stadt Schotten, Amtliche Bekanntmachung Wasserhärtebereiche und Nitratwerte in den Stadtteilen (2024-12). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Wirtschafts- und Versorgungsbetriebe der Stadt Schotten, Amtliche Bekanntmachung Wasserhärtebereiche und Nitratwerte in den Stadtteilen · Outdated figure? Tell us