Water hardness in Patca
22.5 °dH very hard
Tap water in Patca is very hard: 22.5 °dH (402 mg/L · 23.5 gpg · 40.2 °fH).
Source: NNGYK — Magyarországi települések ivóvízminősége (HUMVI 2024) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Patca, in Somogy county, is reported at 401.6 mg/L CaCO₃ in the NNGYK 2024 drinking-water data, which is very hard. Most Hungarian tap water is groundwater, and the report does not name the source for this village. Porva in Veszprém county has the same published value, but the two are not known to be linked. Limescale builds up quickly in kettles and boilers.
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 | 22.5 °dH |
|---|
How Patca compares
- Tap water in Patca is 40 % harder than the median of the 3053 cities we track in Hungary (16.1 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 460 of 3053 in Hungary (1 = hardest); 85 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Somogy it is number 40 of 240 cities; the regional median is 19.1 °dH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Kaposszerdahely, 4 km away (17.5 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Karád, 46 km away (30.5 °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 Patca
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 22 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Patca water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 402 mg/L as CaCO₃ (23.5 gpg, 22.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Patca 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 Patca water?
23.5 gpg, equal to 22.5 °dH, 40.2 °fH or 402 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Patca?
For 402 mg/L (22.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Patca?
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