Water hardness in Sprockhövel
3.5 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Sprockhövel is moderately hard: 3.5 °dH (63 mg/L · 3.7 gpg · 6.3 °fH).
Source: AVU Netz GmbH - Trinkwasseranalyse Jahresmittelwerte 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-24
AVU Netz GmbH reports a 2025 annual mean of 62.5 mg/L CaCO₃ for Sprockhövel, supplied from its Rohland waterworks. That is in the moderate class and clearly softer than most of Germany. Nearby Remscheid (91.0 mg/L) and Wuppertal (98.2 mg/L) are also on the low side, while Wülfrath, 18 km away, reaches 146.4 mg/L. A softener is rarely needed at this level, and the dosing guidance on detergent packs for soft to moderate water is usually enough.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 3.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | AVU Netz GmbH - Wasserwerk Rohland |
How Sprockhövel compares
- Tap water in Sprockhövel is 70 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 785 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 3 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 150 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Werdohl, 34 km away (2.3 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Remscheid, 9 km away (5.1 °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 Sprockhövel
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Sprockhövel water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 63 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.7 gpg, 3.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Sprockhövel 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 Sprockhövel water?
3.7 gpg, equal to 3.5 °dH, 6.3 °fH or 63 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Sprockhövel?
For 63 mg/L (3.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Sprockhövel?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: AVU Netz GmbH - Trinkwasseranalyse Jahresmittelwerte 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. AVU Netz GmbH - Trinkwasseranalyse Jahresmittelwerte 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us