Water hardness in Waldkirch
2.5 °dH soft
Tap water in Waldkirch is soft: 2.5 °dH (45 mg/L · 2.6 gpg · 4.5 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Waldkirch – Trinkwasseranalyse (Härtebereich nach Versorgungszone) (2026) · data checked 2026-11-02
Range across supply zones: 36–104 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buchholz mit Suggental | 5.8 | 104 | moderately hard |
| Siensbach | 2 | 36 | soft |
| Waldkirch mit Batzenhäusle und Kollnau (Waldkirch I) | 2.8 | 50 | soft |
| Wisserswand, Schänzle, Buchenbühl (Waldkirch II) | 2.2 | 39 | soft |
Stadtwerke Waldkirch reports hardness per supply zone: Waldkirch I at 50.0 mg/L CaCO₃, Waldkirch II at 39.3 mg/L, Siensbach at 35.7 mg/L and Buchholz with Suggental at 103.5 mg/L. The city figure of 44.6 mg/L is soft, similar to Freiburg (87.6 mg/L) and Lahr (75.0 mg/L). Scale builds up slowly, so a softener is rarely needed.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 2.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Waldkirch |
How Waldkirch compares
- Tap water in Waldkirch is 78 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 804 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 1 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 144 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Münstertal (Schwarzwald), 30 km away (1.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Emmendingen, 9 km away (8.7 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Waldkirch
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °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 Waldkirch water hard or soft?
It is soft: 45 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2.6 gpg, 2.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Waldkirch 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 Waldkirch water?
2.6 gpg, equal to 2.5 °dH, 4.5 °fH or 45 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Waldkirch?
For 45 mg/L (2.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Waldkirch?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Waldkirch – Trinkwasseranalyse (Härtebereich nach Versorgungszone) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Waldkirch – Trinkwasseranalyse (Härtebereich nach Versorgungszone) · Outdated figure? Tell us