Water hardness in Sundern
11.5 °dH very hard
Tap water in Sundern is very hard: 11.5 °dH (205 mg/L · 12 gpg · 20.5 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Sundern (SWS), Handout Wasserhärte for Pressekonferenz 26.04.2019 (2019) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 196–232 mg/L.
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
The only published figure is from a 2019 press handout of Stadtwerke Sundern, which gives 11 to 13 °dH for the core town and several districts and a mean of 11.5 °dH. That is 205.3 mg/L CaCO₃, range 196.3 to 232.0 mg/L, in the medium band. It is stale, so treat it as a guide and ask the utility for a current analysis.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 11.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Sundern (SWS) |
How Sundern compares
- Tap water in Sundern is close to the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 401 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 50 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 68 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Arnsberg, 8 km away (7.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Warstein, 29 km away (14.7 °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 Sundern
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 12 °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 Sundern water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 205 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12 gpg, 11.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Sundern 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 Sundern water?
12 gpg, equal to 11.5 °dH, 20.5 °fH or 205 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Sundern?
For 205 mg/L (11.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Sundern?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Sundern (SWS), Handout Wasserhärte for Pressekonferenz 26.04.2019 (2019). Method: older figure, source currently unavailable. Stadtwerke Sundern (SWS), Handout Wasserhärte for Pressekonferenz 26.04.2019 · Outdated figure? Tell us