Water hardness in Ercolano
41 °fH very hard
Tap water in Ercolano is very hard: 41 °fH (410 mg/L · 23.9 gpg · 23 °dH).
Source: GORI, certificato di garanzia - valori medi I semestre 2026 (2026-06) · data checked 2026-10-29
Ercolano is in GORI's Sarno-Vesuvian service area, supplied from springs, including ones on Vesuvius, the Sarno area and the Monti Lattari, and from wells; limestone and volcanic ground explain the high mineral load. The reported figure is 410.0 mg/L CaCO₃, which counts as very hard water. 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 | 41 °fH |
|---|---|
| calcio_mg_l | 112 |
| magnesio_mg_l | 28 |
| Utility | GORI |
How Ercolano compares
- Tap water in Ercolano is 93 % harder than the median of the 629 cities we track in Italy (21.2 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 20 of 629 in Italy (1 = hardest); 97 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Campania it is number 15 of 33 cities; the regional median is 40 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Somma Vesuviana, 10 km away (21 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Angri, 20 km away (63 °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 Ercolano
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 23 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 6 |
| 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 Ercolano water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 410 mg/L as CaCO₃ (23.9 gpg, 23 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ercolano 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 Ercolano water?
23.9 gpg, equal to 23 °dH, 41 °fH or 410 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ercolano?
For 410 mg/L (23 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Ercolano?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: GORI, certificato di garanzia - valori medi I semestre 2026 (2026-06). Method: figure published by the water supplier. GORI, certificato di garanzia - valori medi I semestre 2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us