Water hardness in Milan
28 °fH very hard
Tap water in Milan is very hard: 28 °fH (280 mg/L · 16.4 gpg · 15.7 °dH).
Source: Comune di Milano open data (MM SpA) — Analisi dell'acqua 2026, per zona MM (2026-07) · data checked 2026-10-22
Range across supply zones: 230–330 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °fH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Milano Nord-Est (zona MM 18) | 32 | 320 | very hard |
| Milano Nord-Ovest (zona MM 6) | 24 | 240 | very hard |
| Milano Sud-Est (zona MM 16) | 31 | 310 | very hard |
| Milano Sud-Ovest (zona MM 15) | 25 | 250 | very hard |
Milan's tap water is groundwater pumped from wells in the aquifers beneath the city, delivered by MM SpA and treated where needed. Its published hardness for Milan is 280.0 mg/L CaCO₃ across 4 supply zones, with readings from 230.0 to 330.0 mg/L, which counts as very hard water. Values differ across the area, so check your own address before buying a softener; 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 | 28 °fH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 74 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 16 |
| Utility | MM SpA (Metropolitana Milanese) |
How Milan compares
- Tap water in Milan is 32 % harder than the median of the 629 cities we track in Italy (21.2 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 139 of 629 in Italy (1 = hardest); 78 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Lombardia it is number 38 of 142 cities; the regional median is 24.9 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Assago, 8 km away (19.3 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Locate di Triulzi, 12 km away (40.3 °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 Milan
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Milan water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 280 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.4 gpg, 15.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Milan 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 Milan water?
16.4 gpg, equal to 15.7 °dH, 28 °fH or 280 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Milan?
For 280 mg/L (15.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Milan?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Comune di Milano open data (MM SpA) — Analisi dell'acqua 2026, per zona MM (2026-07). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Comune di Milano open data (MM SpA) — Analisi dell'acqua 2026, per zona MM · Outdated figure? Tell us