Water hardness in Łódź
208 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Łódź is very hard: 208 mg/L (12.1 gpg · 11.7 °dH · 20.8 °fH).
Source: ZWiK Łódź: Twardość wody, I półrocze 2026 (printed mg CaCO3/l) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 198–218 mg/L.
ZWiK Łódź prints a single range for its network, 198 to 218 mg/L CaCO₃, for the first half of 2026. It gives no mean, so the 208 mg/L shown here is the midpoint of that range, not a measured average. The spread is narrow, which suggests little difference between districts, but the utility does not break the data down by zone. Expect limescale in kettles and on shower glass.
Polish suppliers report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water regulation range is 60–500 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 208 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Zakład Wodociągów i Kanalizacji Sp. z o.o. w Łodzi (ZWiK Łódź) |
How Łódź compares
- Tap water in Łódź is 15 % softer than the median of the 91 cities we track in Poland (245 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 64 of 91 in Poland (1 = hardest); 29 % of these cities have softer water.
- In łódzkie it is number 3 of 5 cities; the regional median is 208 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Tomaszów Mazowiecki, 45 km away (166 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bełchatów, 45 km away (263 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Poland →
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 Łódź
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 12 °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 Łódź water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 208 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.1 gpg, 11.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Łódź safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Polish suppliers report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water regulation range is 60–500 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Łódź water?
12.1 gpg, equal to 11.7 °dH, 20.8 °fH or 208 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Łódź?
For 208 mg/L (11.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Łódź?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: ZWiK Łódź: Twardość wody, I półrocze 2026 (printed mg CaCO3/l) (2026). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. ZWiK Łódź: Twardość wody, I półrocze 2026 (printed mg CaCO3/l) · Outdated figure? Tell us