Water hardness in Palermo
27.8 °fH very hard
Tap water in Palermo is very hard: 27.8 °fH (278 mg/L · 16.2 gpg · 15.6 °dH).
Source: AMAP SpA — Carta d'identità dell'acqua (valori medi, Palermo e comuni serviti) (2019) · data checked 2026-10-22
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Palermo's water comes from AMAP, which draws on springs, wells and reservoirs, including Rosamarina, Scanzano and Piana degli Albanesi, with treatment at Risalaimi; the older Scillato spring first supplied the city in the nineteenth century. The only figure we have is 278.0 mg/L CaCO₃, which counts as very hard water (a 2019 figure that may have changed since). Expect scale on kettles, shower heads and in the water heater, and descaling about as often as a hard-water kitchen requires.
Italian utilities report °f (French degrees); D.Lgs. 31/2001 recommends 15–50 °f.
Water data
| Total hardness | 27.8 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | AMAP SpA |
How Palermo compares
- Tap water in Palermo is 31 % harder than the median of the 629 cities we track in Italy (21.2 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 147 of 629 in Italy (1 = hardest); 77 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Sicilia it is number 3 of 10 cities; the regional median is 20.5 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: San Cataldo, 89 km away (17 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Gela, 139 km away (37 °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 Palermo
| 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 Palermo water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 278 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.2 gpg, 15.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Palermo 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 Palermo water?
16.2 gpg, equal to 15.6 °dH, 27.8 °fH or 278 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Palermo?
For 278 mg/L (15.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Palermo?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: AMAP SpA — Carta d'identità dell'acqua (valori medi, Palermo e comuni serviti) (2019). Method: figure published by the water supplier. AMAP SpA — Carta d'identità dell'acqua (valori medi, Palermo e comuni serviti) · Outdated figure? Tell us