Water hardness in Akita
26 mg/L soft
Tap water in Akita is soft: 26 mg/L (1.5 gpg · 1.5 °dH · 2.6 °fH).
Source: Akita City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau (秋田市上下水道局), water quality annual report FY2024 (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 18–51 mg/L.
Akita's tap water is supplied by Akita City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau; the intake mix is not confirmed here, but piped water in Akita Prefecture comes mainly from rivers and reservoirs fed by short, steep catchments. The utility's 2024 data give 26.0 mg/L CaCO₃ within a range of 18.0 to 51.0 mg/L; the spread is wide, so the value at your tap depends on where in the supply area you live. Water this soft rarely leaves scale, so kettles and showerheads stay mostly clear and a softener adds little.
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 | 26 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Akita City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau (秋田市上下水道局) |
How Akita compares
- Tap water in Akita is 48 % softer than the median of the 228 cities we track in Japan (50 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 209 of 228 in Japan (1 = hardest); 8 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Morioka, 88 km away (19 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Aomori, 133 km away (55 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Japan →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Akita
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Akita water hard or soft?
It is soft: 26 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.5 gpg, 1.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Akita 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 Akita water?
1.5 gpg, equal to 1.5 °dH, 2.6 °fH or 26 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Akita?
For 26 mg/L (1.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Akita?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Akita City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau (秋田市上下水道局), water quality annual report FY2024 (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Akita City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau (秋田市上下水道局), water quality annual report FY2024 · Outdated figure? Tell us