Water hardness in Alvalade
80 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Alvalade is moderately hard: 80 mg/L (4.7 gpg · 4.5 °dH · 8 °fH).
Source: EPAL - Perguntas frequentes: qualidade da água (2024) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 40–170 mg/L.
Alvalade is a Lisbon parish supplied by EPAL, which publishes no parish breakdown. This page uses the EPAL FAQ for Lisbon: 40 to 170 mg/L CaCO₃, with a mean of 80 mg/L. The FAQ page is undated, and the range is wide, so your tap may sit well above or below the mean. Moderate hardness means light scale on taps and kettles.
Portuguese operators report "dureza total" in mg/L CaCO₃ to ERSAR.
Water data
| Total hardness | 80 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | EPAL |
How Alvalade compares
- Tap water in Alvalade is close to the median of the 77 cities we track in Portugal (83 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 40 of 77 in Portugal (1 = hardest); 47 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Lisboa it is number 5 of 13 cities; the regional median is 50 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Lisbon, 3 km away (63 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Barreiro, 12 km away (150 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Portugal →
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 Alvalade
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Alvalade water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 80 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.7 gpg, 4.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Alvalade safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Portuguese operators report "dureza total" in mg/L CaCO₃ to ERSAR.
How many grains per gallon is Alvalade water?
4.7 gpg, equal to 4.5 °dH, 8 °fH or 80 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Alvalade?
For 80 mg/L (4.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Alvalade?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: EPAL - Perguntas frequentes: qualidade da água (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. EPAL - Perguntas frequentes: qualidade da água · Outdated figure? Tell us