Water hardness in Solms
22 °dH very hard
Tap water in Solms is very hard: 22 °dH (393 mg/L · 22.9 gpg · 39.3 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Solms – Wasserhärte im Solmser Stadtbezirk (2023) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 321–500 mg/L.
7 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Albshausen | 28 | 500 | very hard |
| Burgsolms Hochzone | 28 | 500 | very hard |
| Burgsolms Tiefzone | 22 | 393 | very hard |
| Niederbiel | 18 | 321 | very hard |
| Oberbiel | 21 | 375 | very hard |
| Oberndorf Hochzone | 21 | 375 | very hard |
| Oberndorf Höchstzone | 28 | 500 | very hard |
Stadtwerke Solms reports seven zones in its 2023 sheet, from 321.3 mg/L CaCO₃ in Niederbiel to 499.8 mg/L in Albshausen, Burgsolms Hochzone and Oberndorf Höchstzone. The city figure of 392.7 mg/L is that of the Burgsolms Tiefzone. These are some of the highest values in Hessen in our data, so scale on appliances builds up quickly.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 22 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Solms |
How Solms compares
- Tap water in Solms is 91 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 34 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 96 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Hessen it is number 5 of 73 cities; the regional median is 10.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Ehringshausen, 9 km away (10.7 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Nußloch, 138 km away (31.6 °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 Solms
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 22 °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 Solms water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 393 mg/L as CaCO₃ (22.9 gpg, 22 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Solms 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 Solms water?
22.9 gpg, equal to 22 °dH, 39.3 °fH or 393 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Solms?
For 393 mg/L (22 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Solms?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Solms – Wasserhärte im Solmser Stadtbezirk (2023). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Solms – Wasserhärte im Solmser Stadtbezirk · Outdated figure? Tell us