Water hardness in Agios Nikolaos
251 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Agios Nikolaos is very hard: 251 mg/L (14.6 gpg · 14.1 °dH · 25.1 °fH).
Source: EDEYA labcheck – ΔΕΥΑ Αγ. Νικολάου (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 214–287 mg/L.
Municipal water utilities (DEYA) in Greece usually combine boreholes in limestone aquifers with reservoirs and springs. The reported hardness is 250.8 mg/L CaCO₃, with measurements from 214.2 to 287.4 mg/L. Appliances scale up quickly at this level, and a softener is worth considering.
Greek utilities report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 251 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | ΔΕΥΑ Αγ. Νικολάου |
How Agios Nikolaos compares
- Tap water in Agios Nikolaos is 6 % harder than the median of the 134 cities we track in Greece (237 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 62 of 134 in Greece (1 = hardest); 54 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Crete it is number 13 of 23 cities; the regional median is 260 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Mokhos, 28 km away (168 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Malia, 25 km away (335 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Greece →
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 Agios Nikolaos
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| 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 Agios Nikolaos water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 251 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.6 gpg, 14.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Agios Nikolaos safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Greek utilities report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃.
How many grains per gallon is Agios Nikolaos water?
14.6 gpg, equal to 14.1 °dH, 25.1 °fH or 251 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Agios Nikolaos?
For 251 mg/L (14.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Agios Nikolaos?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: EDEYA labcheck – ΔΕΥΑ Αγ. Νικολάου (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. EDEYA labcheck – ΔΕΥΑ Αγ. Νικολάου · Outdated figure? Tell us