Water hardness in Craiova
10.4 °dH very hard
Tap water in Craiova is very hard: 10.4 °dH (186 mg/L · 10.9 gpg · 18.6 °fH).
Source: S.C. Compania de Apă Oltenia S.A., Raport de încercare Nr. 196 (Piața Gării, aprilie 2026) (2026-04) · data checked 2026-10-21
The figure for Craiova, 10.41 °dH, comes from a single sampling point at Piața Gării, reported by the utility Compania de Apă Oltenia in April 2026. The city's supply mixes surface water and groundwater, so hardness in other districts may differ from this value. Romanian rules set a minimum of 5 °dH for total hardness and no maximum, so a reading above that is not a compliance issue. If scale matters at home, check the latest monthly bulletin from the utility.
Romanian operators report "duritate totală" in German degrees (grade germane); the minimum is 5 °dH.
Water data
| Total hardness | 10.4 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | S.C. Compania de Apă Oltenia S.A. |
How Craiova compares
- Tap water in Craiova is 36 % softer than the median of the 115 cities we track in Romania (16.3 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 93 of 115 in Romania (1 = hardest); 19 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Vişina, 125 km away (7.8 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Mătăsaru, 136 km away (17.4 °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 Craiova
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 10 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| 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 Craiova water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 186 mg/L as CaCO₃ (10.9 gpg, 10.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Craiova 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 Craiova water?
10.9 gpg, equal to 10.4 °dH, 18.6 °fH or 186 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Craiova?
For 186 mg/L (10.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Craiova?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: S.C. Compania de Apă Oltenia S.A., Raport de încercare Nr. 196 (Piața Gării, aprilie 2026) (2026-04). Method: own measurement. S.C. Compania de Apă Oltenia S.A., Raport de încercare Nr. 196 (Piața Gării, aprilie 2026) · Outdated figure? Tell us