Water hardness in Focșani
18 °dH very hard
Tap water in Focșani is very hard: 18 °dH (321 mg/L · 18.7 gpg · 32.1 °fH).
Source: DSP Vrancea lab bulletin 3082/18.09.2026 for CUP Focsani (sample 15.09.2026) (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-23
Public supply in Romania combines surface water and groundwater, and hardness follows the local geology. The reported hardness is 320.9 mg/L CaCO₃. 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 | 18 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | CUP S.A. Focșani |
How Focșani compares
- Tap water in Focșani is 10 % harder than the median of the 115 cities we track in Romania (16.3 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 37 of 115 in Romania (1 = hardest); 68 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Măcin, 90 km away (10.6 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ştefan Cel Mare, 62 km away (27.1 °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 Focșani
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 18 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Focșani water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 321 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18.7 gpg, 18 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Focșani 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 Focșani water?
18.7 gpg, equal to 18 °dH, 32.1 °fH or 321 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Focșani?
For 321 mg/L (18 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Focșani?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: DSP Vrancea lab bulletin 3082/18.09.2026 for CUP Focsani (sample 15.09.2026) (2026-09). Method: own measurement. DSP Vrancea lab bulletin 3082/18.09.2026 for CUP Focsani (sample 15.09.2026) · Outdated figure? Tell us