Water hardness in Varena
1.95 mmol/L very hard
Tap water in Varena is very hard: 1.95 mmol/L (195 mg/L · 11.4 gpg · 10.9 °dH).
Source: UAB Varenos vandenys, Vandens kokybes rodikliai 2026 m. II ketv. (vartotojai) (2026-04) · data checked 2026-10-23
UAB Varenos vandenys prints 3.90 mg-eq/L (meq/L) total hardness for the Varena town wellfield in its 2026 Q2 consumer water quality table, sampled on 28 April 2026. That is about 195 mg/L CaCO3. The same PDF lists many village wellfields, which are not used here. This is one sample, not an annual average, and hardness is not regulated in Lithuania. Some limescale on heating elements is the usual result.
Lithuanian suppliers report total hardness in mmol/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.95 mmol/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | UAB Varenos vandenys (varenosvandenys.lt) |
How Varena compares
- Tap water in Varena is 31 % softer than the median of the 15 cities we track in Lithuania (2.83 mmol/L).
- By hardness it ranks 14 of 15 in Lithuania (1 = hardest); 7 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Prienai, 62 km away (2.6 mmol/L).
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 Varena
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Varena water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 195 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.4 gpg, 10.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Varena safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Lithuanian suppliers report total hardness in mmol/L.
How many grains per gallon is Varena water?
11.4 gpg, equal to 10.9 °dH, 19.5 °fH or 195 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Varena?
For 195 mg/L (10.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Varena?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: UAB Varenos vandenys, Vandens kokybes rodikliai 2026 m. II ketv. (vartotojai) (2026-04). Method: own measurement. UAB Varenos vandenys, Vandens kokybes rodikliai 2026 m. II ketv. (vartotojai) · Outdated figure? Tell us