Water hardness in Wawer
196 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Wawer is very hard: 196 mg/L (11.4 gpg · 11 °dH · 19.6 °fH).
Source: MPWiK m.st. Warszawy S.A. (2026) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 174–217 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| mg/L | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SUW Falenica | 217 | 217 | very hard |
| SUW Radość | 174 | 174 | hard |
MPWiK Warsaw reports 195.5 mg/L CaCO₃ for Wawer as a median of two zones, with values from 174 to 217 mg/L. That is softer than many other districts of the city, yet still counts as very hard. Hardness can differ between the two zones, so the exact figure depends on your address. Expect some limescale on heating elements.
Polish suppliers report total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water regulation range is 60–500 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 196 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | MPWiK m.st. Warszawy S.A. |
How Wawer compares
- Tap water in Wawer is 20 % softer than the median of the 91 cities we track in Poland (245 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 69 of 91 in Poland (1 = hardest); 24 % of these cities have softer water.
- In mazowieckie it is number 16 of 17 cities; the regional median is 251 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Praga Północ, 12 km away (251 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 Wawer
| 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 Wawer water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 196 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.4 gpg, 11 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Wawer 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 Wawer water?
11.4 gpg, equal to 11 °dH, 19.6 °fH or 196 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Wawer?
For 196 mg/L (11 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Wawer?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: MPWiK m.st. Warszawy S.A. (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. MPWiK m.st. Warszawy S.A. · Outdated figure? Tell us