Water hardness in Gifu
53 mg/L soft
Tap water in Gifu is soft: 53 mg/L (3.1 gpg · 3 °dH · 5.3 °fH).
Source: Gifu City water quality test results FY2024 (Gifu Prefecture open data, CC BY) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 19–85 mg/L.
Gifu uses groundwater, including riverbed water from the Nagara River, taken at 17 intake sites. The utility's 2024 data give 52.8 mg/L CaCO₃ within a range of 19.0 to 85.0 mg/L; the spread is wide, so the value at your tap depends on where in the supply area you live. Moderately soft water leaves visible deposits on kettles and taps over time, which regular descaling keeps in check.
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 | 53 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Gifu City Waterworks |
How Gifu compares
- Tap water in Gifu is 5 % harder than the median of the 228 cities we track in Japan (50 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 110 of 228 in Japan (1 = hardest); 52 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Kasugai, 27 km away (20 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Shimamoto, 116 km away (83 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 Gifu
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 3 °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 Gifu water hard or soft?
It is soft: 53 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.1 gpg, 3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Gifu 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 Gifu water?
3.1 gpg, equal to 3 °dH, 5.3 °fH or 53 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Gifu?
For 53 mg/L (3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Gifu?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Gifu City water quality test results FY2024 (Gifu Prefecture open data, CC BY) (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Gifu City water quality test results FY2024 (Gifu Prefecture open data, CC BY) · Outdated figure? Tell us