Water hardness in Cernavodă
12 °dH very hard
Tap water in Cernavodă is very hard: 12 °dH (214 mg/L · 12.5 gpg · 21.4 °fH).
Source: RAJA S.A. Constanța, Indicatori fizico-chimici ai apei potabile (OG 7/2023), valori medii 2026 (2026) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 202–216 mg/L.
RAJA S.A. Constanța reports mean 2026 values for Cernavodă under Ordonanța 7/2023. The median is 214.2 mg/L CaCO₃ and the range is 201.7 to 216.0 mg/L, which is very hard. The spread is narrow. Expect limescale on heating elements and glass.
Romanian operators report "duritate totală" in German degrees (grade germane); the minimum is 5 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | RAJA S.A. Constanța |
How Cernavodă compares
- Tap water in Cernavodă is 26 % softer than the median of the 115 cities we track in Romania (16.3 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 86 of 115 in Romania (1 = hardest); 25 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Ciobanu, 42 km away (7.8 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Saligny, 8 km away (17.8 °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 Cernavodă
| 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 Cernavodă water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 214 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.5 gpg, 12 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Cernavodă 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 Cernavodă water?
12.5 gpg, equal to 12 °dH, 21.4 °fH or 214 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Cernavodă?
For 214 mg/L (12 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Cernavodă?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: RAJA S.A. Constanța, Indicatori fizico-chimici ai apei potabile (OG 7/2023), valori medii 2026 (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. RAJA S.A. Constanța, Indicatori fizico-chimici ai apei potabile (OG 7/2023), valori medii 2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us