Water hardness in Civitavecchia
21.6 °fH very hard
Tap water in Civitavecchia is very hard: 21.6 °fH (216 mg/L · 12.6 gpg · 12.1 °dH).
Source: Acea Ato 2, qualità dell'acqua per zona (valori mediani) (2026-07) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 178–252 mg/L.
Acea Ato 2 serves Civitavecchia as part of the wider Rome area, whose network is fed mainly by Apennine springs through long aqueducts; which source reaches Civitavecchia directly is not stated on the page we used. The figure we show, 215.9 mg/L CaCO₃, is calculated from the utility's published analyses, with readings from 178.3 to 251.6 mg/L, which counts as very hard water. Limescale builds up quickly on heating elements and taps, so a softener or regular descaling is worth considering.
Italian utilities report °f (French degrees); D.Lgs. 31/2001 recommends 15–50 °f.
Water data
| Total hardness | 21.6 °fH |
|---|
How Civitavecchia compares
- Tap water in Civitavecchia is close to the median of the 629 cities we track in Italy (21.2 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 307 of 629 in Italy (1 = hardest); 51 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Lazio it is number 39 of 54 cities; the regional median is 27.2 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Bracciano, 30 km away (11.4 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Santa Marinella, 8 km away (35 °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 Civitavecchia
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °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 Civitavecchia water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 216 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.6 gpg, 12.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Civitavecchia 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 Civitavecchia water?
12.6 gpg, equal to 12.1 °dH, 21.6 °fH or 216 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Civitavecchia?
For 216 mg/L (12.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Civitavecchia?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Acea Ato 2, qualità dell'acqua per zona (valori mediani) (2026-07). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Acea Ato 2, qualità dell'acqua per zona (valori mediani) · Outdated figure? Tell us