Water hardness in Wangen im Allgäu
16.1 °dH very hard
Tap water in Wangen im Allgäu is very hard: 16.1 °dH (287 mg/L · 16.8 gpg · 28.7 °fH).
Source: Stadt Wangen im Allgäu, Prüfbericht Trinkwasseruntersuchung 2025, Zone Hochzone (2025) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 220–309 mg/L.
5 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deuchelried (Handwerkszone) | 15.2 | 271 | very hard |
| Hochzone (PW Oflings) | 12.3 | 220 | very hard |
| Karsee (Rathaus Karsee) | 17.3 | 309 | very hard |
| Mittelzone (Quelle Rempen) | 16.1 | 287 | very hard |
| Niederzone (PW Oflings) | 16.1 | 287 | very hard |
The city of Wangen im Allgäu publishes 2025 test reports for five supply zones. The median is 287.4 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 219.5 (Hochzone) to 308.8 mg/L (Karsee). The town's own water page gives a band of 15 to 17 °dH, which is a little different from the lowest zone, so check which zone your street belongs to.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 16.1 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Wangen im Allgäu |
How Wangen im Allgäu compares
- Tap water in Wangen im Allgäu is 40 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 219 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 73 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Baden-Württemberg it is number 47 of 146 cities; the regional median is 12.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Kressbronn am Bodensee, 20 km away (9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Memmingen, 42 km away (20.5 °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 Wangen im Allgäu
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Wangen im Allgäu water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 287 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.8 gpg, 16.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Wangen im Allgäu 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 Wangen im Allgäu water?
16.8 gpg, equal to 16.1 °dH, 28.7 °fH or 287 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Wangen im Allgäu?
For 287 mg/L (16.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Wangen im Allgäu?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadt Wangen im Allgäu, Prüfbericht Trinkwasseruntersuchung 2025, Zone Hochzone (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadt Wangen im Allgäu, Prüfbericht Trinkwasseruntersuchung 2025, Zone Hochzone · Outdated figure? Tell us