Water hardness in Alcaudete
53.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Alcaudete is very hard: 53.5 °fH (535 mg/L · 31.2 gpg · 29.9 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 23003 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 298–610 mg/L.
SINAC, the Ministry of Health's drinking-water register, reports 534.5 mg/L CaCO₃ for Alcaudete, very hard, with a wide range from 298 to 610 mg/L. Towns around it in the Sierras Subbéticas area are between 202 and 330 mg/L. Scale builds up very quickly on kettles and heaters, and many homes use a softener.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 53.5 °fH |
|---|
How Alcaudete compares
- Tap water in Alcaudete is 166 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 187 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 96 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Jaén it is number 6 of 96 cities; the regional median is 24.6 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Fuente-Tójar, 8 km away (25.6 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Valdepeñas de Jaén, 31 km away (67.7 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Spain →
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 Alcaudete
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 30 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 7 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S4 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Alcaudete water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 535 mg/L as CaCO₃ (31.2 gpg, 29.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Alcaudete safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
How many grains per gallon is Alcaudete water?
31.2 gpg, equal to 29.9 °dH, 53.5 °fH or 535 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Alcaudete?
For 535 mg/L (29.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Alcaudete?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 23003 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 23003 · Outdated figure? Tell us