Water hardness in Arad
14.9 °dH very hard
Tap water in Arad is very hard: 14.9 °dH (266 mg/L · 15.6 gpg · 26.6 °fH).
Source: Compania de Apă Arad: Calitatea apei 2025, Arad municipiu ieșire stație de tratare (2025) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 252–281 mg/L.
Public supply in Romania combines surface water and groundwater, and hardness follows the local geology. The reported hardness is 266.4 mg/L CaCO₃, with measurements from 251.7 to 281.1 mg/L. Scale forms fast on heaters and fittings; a water softener is a common remedy.
Romanian operators report "duritate totală" in German degrees (grade germane); the minimum is 5 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14.9 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Compania de Apă Arad S.A. |
How Arad compares
- Tap water in Arad is 8 % softer than the median of the 115 cities we track in Romania (16.3 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 70 of 115 in Romania (1 = hardest); 39 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Lugoj, 71 km away (6 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Romania →
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 Arad
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 15 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| 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 Arad water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 266 mg/L as CaCO₃ (15.6 gpg, 14.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Arad safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Romanian operators report "duritate totală" in German degrees (grade germane); the minimum is 5 °dH.
How many grains per gallon is Arad water?
15.6 gpg, equal to 14.9 °dH, 26.6 °fH or 266 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Arad?
For 266 mg/L (14.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Arad?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Compania de Apă Arad: Calitatea apei 2025, Arad municipiu ieșire stație de tratare (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Compania de Apă Arad: Calitatea apei 2025, Arad municipiu ieșire stație de tratare · Outdated figure? Tell us