Water hardness in Patak
28.2 °dH very hard
Tap water in Patak is very hard: 28.2 °dH (503 mg/L · 29.4 gpg · 50.3 °fH).
Source: NNGYK — Magyarországi települések ivóvízminősége (HUMVI 2024) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-29
Patak, in Nógrád county, is listed at 503.3 mg/L CaCO₃ by NNGYK (2024), the highest value in this batch and very hard. A figure this high deserves a check against a test of your own tap, since the source gives no zone or well detail. Nearby Nemti in the same county is listed at 71.4 mg/L. Expect heavy scale in anything that heats water.
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 | 28.2 °dH |
|---|
How Patak compares
- Tap water in Patak is 75 % harder than the median of the 3053 cities we track in Hungary (16.1 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 67 of 3053 in Hungary (1 = hardest); 98 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Nógrád it is number 8 of 139 cities; the regional median is 12.7 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bánk, 11 km away (15.5 °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 Patak
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 28 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 6 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S4 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Patak water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 503 mg/L as CaCO₃ (29.4 gpg, 28.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Patak 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 Patak water?
29.4 gpg, equal to 28.2 °dH, 50.3 °fH or 503 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Patak?
For 503 mg/L (28.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Patak?
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