Water hardness in Carbonia
19.8 °fH very hard
Tap water in Carbonia is very hard: 19.8 °fH (198 mg/L · 11.6 gpg · 11.1 °dH).
Source: Abbanoa, qualità dell'acqua, semestri 2-2025…1-2026 (2026-05) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 127–297 mg/L.
Abbanoa treats reservoir water for Carbonia; Sardinia has few natural sources suited to drinking water, so reservoirs carry most of the load; hardness follows the rocks of each reservoir's basin. Calculated from the utility's readings, hardness is 198.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with readings from 127.0 to 296.9 mg/L, which counts as very hard water. Values differ across the area, so check your own address before buying a softener; kettles, steam irons and dishwashers collect scale fast at this level, and a softener is a common answer.
Italian utilities report °f (French degrees); D.Lgs. 31/2001 recommends 15–50 °f.
Water data
| Total hardness | 19.8 °fH |
|---|
How Carbonia compares
- Tap water in Carbonia is 7 % softer than the median of the 629 cities we track in Italy (21.2 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 356 of 629 in Italy (1 = hardest); 43 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Sardegna it is number 2 of 17 cities; the regional median is 9.9 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Capoterra, 39 km away (10.5 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Iglesias, 16 km away (32.7 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Italy →
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 Carbonia
| 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 Carbonia water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 198 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.6 gpg, 11.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Carbonia safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Italian utilities report °f (French degrees); D.Lgs. 31/2001 recommends 15–50 °f.
How many grains per gallon is Carbonia water?
11.6 gpg, equal to 11.1 °dH, 19.8 °fH or 198 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Carbonia?
For 198 mg/L (11.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Carbonia?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Abbanoa, qualità dell'acqua, semestri 2-2025…1-2026 (2026-05). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Abbanoa, qualità dell'acqua, semestri 2-2025…1-2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us