Water hardness in Olkusz
259 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Olkusz is very hard: 259 mg/L (15.1 gpg · 14.5 °dH · 25.9 °fH).
Source: PWiK Olkusz – Woda (2026) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 232–286 mg/L.
PWiK Olkusz gives a range of 232.1 to 285.6 mg/L CaCO₃, with a computed midpoint of 258.8 mg/L. All of that range is very hard.
Polish suppliers report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water regulation range is 60–500 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 259 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | PWiK Olkusz |
How Olkusz compares
- Tap water in Olkusz is 6 % harder than the median of the 91 cities we track in Poland (245 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 39 of 91 in Poland (1 = hardest); 58 % of these cities have softer water.
- In małopolskie it is number 4 of 5 cities; the regional median is 265 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Mysłowice, 29 km away (112 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Zabrze, 56 km away (369 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 Olkusz
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Olkusz water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 259 mg/L as CaCO₃ (15.1 gpg, 14.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Olkusz 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 Olkusz water?
15.1 gpg, equal to 14.5 °dH, 25.9 °fH or 259 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Olkusz?
For 259 mg/L (14.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Olkusz?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: PWiK Olkusz – Woda (2026). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. PWiK Olkusz – Woda · Outdated figure? Tell us