Water hardness in Stuttgart
11 °dH very hard
Tap water in Stuttgart is very hard: 11 °dH (196 mg/L · 11.5 gpg · 19.6 °fH).
Source: Netze BW Wasser, Erstklassiges Trinkwasser für Stuttgart (FAQ Wasserhärte) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-22
Range across supply zones: 161–232 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodenseewasser (Süden, Westen, Teil des Nordens) | 9 | 161 | hard |
| Landeswasser Donauried (restlicher Norden, Mitte, Osten) | 13 | 232 | very hard |
Netze BW Wasser supplies Stuttgart from two sources: Lake Constance water in the south, west and part of the north, and Landeswasser from the Donauried in the rest of the north, the centre and the east. The two differ clearly, 160.7 mg/L CaCO₃ for Lake Constance water against 232.1 mg/L for Donauried water, and the city figure of 196.4 mg/L sits between them. Your district decides which one comes out of the tap, so ask the utility before you buy a softener.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 11 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Netze BW Wasser GmbH |
How Stuttgart compares
- Tap water in Stuttgart is close to the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 435 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 46 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 88 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Renningen, 20 km away (8 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sindelfingen, 16 km away (16.5 °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 Stuttgart
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| 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 Stuttgart water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 196 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.5 gpg, 11 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart water?
11.5 gpg, equal to 11 °dH, 19.6 °fH or 196 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Stuttgart?
For 196 mg/L (11 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Stuttgart?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Netze BW Wasser, Erstklassiges Trinkwasser für Stuttgart (FAQ Wasserhärte) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Netze BW Wasser, Erstklassiges Trinkwasser für Stuttgart (FAQ Wasserhärte) · Outdated figure? Tell us