Water hardness in Saitama
66 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Saitama is moderately hard: 66 mg/L (3.8 gpg · 3.7 °dH · 6.5 °fH).
Source: Saitama City Waterworks Bureau, water quality test results FY2025 (open data, CC BY) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 47–84 mg/L.
Saitama City buys about 90% of its water from the Saitama Prefectural system, which treats Tone and Arakawa river water, and pumps the rest from its own deep wells. The reported figure is 65.5 mg/L CaCO₃ (range 47.0 to 84.0 mg/L, 2025 data). Expect gradual white deposits on kettles, taps and showerheads; descaling now and then with citric acid is usually enough.
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 | 66 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Saitama City Waterworks Bureau |
How Saitama compares
- Tap water in Saitama is 30 % harder than the median of the 228 cities we track in Japan (50 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 46 of 228 in Japan (1 = hardest); 80 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Saitama it is number 6 of 9 cities; the regional median is 67 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Higashiyamato, 27 km away (48 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Musashino, 24 km away (82 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 Saitama
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °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 Saitama water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 66 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.8 gpg, 3.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Saitama 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 Saitama water?
3.8 gpg, equal to 3.7 °dH, 6.5 °fH or 66 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Saitama?
For 66 mg/L (3.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Saitama?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Saitama City Waterworks Bureau, water quality test results FY2025 (open data, CC BY) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Saitama City Waterworks Bureau, water quality test results FY2025 (open data, CC BY) · Outdated figure? Tell us