Water hardness in Mátészalka
15.8 °dH very hard
Tap water in Mátészalka is very hard: 15.8 °dH (283 mg/L · 16.5 gpg · 28.3 °fH).
Source: NNGYK — Magyarországi települések ivóvízminősége (HUMVI 2024) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Mátészalka is in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, where public supply relies entirely on groundwater, mainly Lower Pleistocene layered aquifers. Sandy sediments of the Nyírség and Szatmár plain supply the dissolved minerals; for Mátészalka the 2024 national report gives 282.9 mg/L CaCO₃ (very hard). Limescale appears on kettles and taps within weeks, and heating appliances need regular descaling.
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 | 15.8 °dH |
|---|
How Mátészalka compares
- Tap water in Mátészalka is close to the median of the 3053 cities we track in Hungary (16.1 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 1558 of 3053 in Hungary (1 = hardest); 49 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg it is number 73 of 239 cities; the regional median is 14.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Fehérgyarmat, 15 km away (11.9 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Terem, 18 km away (20.4 °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 Mátészalka
| 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 Mátészalka water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 283 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 Mátészalka 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 Mátészalka water?
16.5 gpg, equal to 15.8 °dH, 28.3 °fH or 283 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Mátészalka?
For 283 mg/L (15.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Mátészalka?
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