Water hardness in Windsbach
15.8 °dH very hard
Tap water in Windsbach is very hard: 15.8 °dH (282 mg/L · 16.5 gpg · 28.2 °fH).
Source: Stadtwerke Windsbach, Aktuelle Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-05
Stadtwerke Windsbach, a municipally run utility, publishes its current drinking water analysis for 2025. It reports 282.0 mg/L CaCO₃, about 15.8 °dH. The source does not describe where the water comes from, so the cause of the hardness stays open. In practice, expect clear limescale in kettles, coffee machines and boilers.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15.8 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stadtwerke Windsbach (kommunaler Eigenbetrieb) |
How Windsbach compares
- Tap water in Windsbach is 37 % harder than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 235 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 71 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bayern it is number 69 of 137 cities; the regional median is 15.8 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nuremberg, 29 km away (12.1 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Langenzenn, 30 km away (19.8 °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 Windsbach
| 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 Windsbach water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 282 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.5 gpg, 15.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Windsbach 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 Windsbach water?
16.5 gpg, equal to 15.8 °dH, 28.2 °fH or 282 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Windsbach?
For 282 mg/L (15.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Windsbach?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Stadtwerke Windsbach, Aktuelle Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Stadtwerke Windsbach, Aktuelle Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us