Water hardness in Ageo
71 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Ageo is moderately hard: 71 mg/L (4.2 gpg · 4 °dH · 7.1 °fH).
Source: Ageo City Water and Sewerage Department, tap-water (給水栓) quality results FY2025 (令和7年度) (2025) · data checked 2026-11-05
Range across supply zones: 46–81 mg/L.
Ageo's FY2025 results come from three tap monitoring points, each sampled monthly from April 2025 to March 2026. Their averages are 71.35, 71.91 and 61.58 mg/L, so the 71.35 mg/L shown is the median of three, with monthly readings between 45.5 and 80.8 mg/L. With only three points this is a rough picture of the city, not a district-by-district map. The city's treatment plants publish separate results, which we did not use.
Japanese waterworks report hardness (硬度) in mg/L CaCO₃; the standard is 300 mg/L and the target 10–100 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 71 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Ageo City Water and Sewerage Department (上尾市上下水道部) |
How Ageo compares
- Tap water in Ageo is 42 % harder than the median of the 228 cities we track in Japan (50 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 22 of 228 in Japan (1 = hardest); 91 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Saitama it is number 2 of 9 cities; the regional median is 67 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Higashi-murayama, 27 km away (56 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Hakone, 102 km away (110 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Japan →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Ageo
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Ageo water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 71 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.2 gpg, 4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ageo safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Japanese waterworks report hardness (硬度) in mg/L CaCO₃; the standard is 300 mg/L and the target 10–100 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Ageo water?
4.2 gpg, equal to 4 °dH, 7.1 °fH or 71 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ageo?
For 71 mg/L (4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Ageo?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Ageo City Water and Sewerage Department, tap-water (給水栓) quality results FY2025 (令和7年度) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ageo City Water and Sewerage Department, tap-water (給水栓) quality results FY2025 (令和7年度) · Outdated figure? Tell us