Water hardness in Schwäbisch Hall
14.9 °dH very hard
Tap water in Schwäbisch Hall is very hard: 14.9 °dH (266 mg/L · 15.5 gpg · 26.6 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall, Information zur Trinkwasserqualität 2026 (Übersicht wichtiger Parameter) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 239–293 mg/L.
Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall prints three hardness values for its supply areas in the 2026 water quality overview, and the text of the PDF does not tie each value to one area. We therefore show the midpoint, 266.0 mg/L CaCO₃, within a range of 239.2 to 292.7 mg/L. The figure is computed, not measured at your tap, so ask the utility which area your street belongs to.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14.9 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall (SWH) |
How Schwäbisch Hall compares
- Tap water in Schwäbisch Hall is 30 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 263 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 68 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 57 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Alfdorf, 33 km away (11.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Beilstein, 32 km away (23 °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 Schwäbisch Hall
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 15 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Schwäbisch Hall water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 266 mg/L as CaCO₃ (15.5 gpg, 14.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Schwäbisch Hall 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 Schwäbisch Hall water?
15.5 gpg, equal to 14.9 °dH, 26.6 °fH or 266 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Schwäbisch Hall?
For 266 mg/L (14.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Schwäbisch Hall?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall, Information zur Trinkwasserqualität 2026 (Übersicht wichtiger Parameter) (2026). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall, Information zur Trinkwasserqualität 2026 (Übersicht wichtiger Parameter) · Outdated figure? Tell us