Water hardness in Wuppertal
5.5 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Wuppertal is moderately hard: 5.5 °dH (98 mg/L · 5.7 gpg · 9.8 °fH).
Source: WSW Energie & Wasser - Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (city of Wuppertal) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 91–202 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Benrath (Rheinuferfiltrat) | 11.3 | 202 | very hard |
| Dabringhausen (Große Dhünn-Talsperre) | 5.1 | 91 | moderately hard |
| Herbringhausen (Kerspe-Talsperre) | 5.5 | 98 | moderately hard |
WSW Energie & Wasser lists three supplies in its 2025 analysis. Rhine bank filtrate at Benrath is considerably harder than the water from the Dhünn and Kerspe reservoirs, which is soft. The median is 98.2 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 91.0 to 201.7 mg/L, so the district you live in matters more than the city figure.
German law (WRMG) uses 3 bands: soft < 8.4 °dH, medium 8.4–14 °dH, hard > 14 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 5.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | WSW Energie & Wasser |
How Wuppertal compares
- Tap water in Wuppertal is 52 % softer than the median of the 809 cities we track in Germany (11.5 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 719 of 809 in Germany (1 = hardest); 11 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nordrhein-Westfalen it is number 137 of 153 cities; the regional median is 11.3 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Sprockhövel, 9 km away (3.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Wülfrath, 8 km away (8.2 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Germany →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Wuppertal
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 6 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Wuppertal water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 98 mg/L as CaCO₃ (5.7 gpg, 5.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Wuppertal 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 Wuppertal water?
5.7 gpg, equal to 5.5 °dH, 9.8 °fH or 98 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Wuppertal?
For 98 mg/L (5.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Wuppertal?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: WSW Energie & Wasser - Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (city of Wuppertal) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. WSW Energie & Wasser - Trinkwasseranalyse 2025 (city of Wuppertal) · Outdated figure? Tell us