Water hardness in Karos
11 °dH very hard
Tap water in Karos is very hard: 11 °dH (196 mg/L · 11.5 gpg · 19.6 °fH).
Source: NNGYK — Magyarországi települések ivóvízminősége (HUMVI 2024) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
NNGYK reports 196.3 mg/L CaCO₃ for Karos in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén (2024), which is very hard. That is the lowest of the very hard values in this group, but scale still forms on kettles and fittings. Descale appliances regularly and check dishwasher salt or rinse settings.
Hungarian suppliers report total hardness in German degrees (nk°) or mg/L CaO; the limit is 50–350 mg/L CaO.
Water data
| Total hardness | 11 °dH |
|---|
How Karos compares
- Tap water in Karos is 32 % softer than the median of the 3053 cities we track in Hungary (16.1 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 2373 of 3053 in Hungary (1 = hardest); 22 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén it is number 316 of 365 cities; the regional median is 16.4 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nagyhuta, 22 km away (5.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sátoraljaújhely, 10 km away (17.1 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Hungary →
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 Karos
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Karos water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 196 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.5 gpg, 11 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Karos safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Hungarian suppliers report total hardness in German degrees (nk°) or mg/L CaO; the limit is 50–350 mg/L CaO.
How many grains per gallon is Karos water?
11.5 gpg, equal to 11 °dH, 19.6 °fH or 196 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Karos?
For 196 mg/L (11 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Karos?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: NNGYK — Magyarországi települések ivóvízminősége (HUMVI 2024) (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. NNGYK — Magyarországi települések ivóvízminősége (HUMVI 2024) · Outdated figure? Tell us