Water hardness in Álora
50.8 °fH very hard
Tap water in Álora is very hard: 50.8 °fH (508 mg/L · 29.7 gpg · 28.5 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 29012 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 172–563 mg/L.
SINAC, the Ministry of Health's drinking-water register, reports 508 mg/L CaCO₃ for Álora, very hard, with values between 172 and 563 mg/L. The Guadalhorce valley has limestone and dolomite areas, which add calcium and magnesium, but the record does not name the sources. Scale builds up fast in kettles and heaters, and many homes use a softener.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 50.8 °fH |
|---|
How Álora compares
- Tap water in Álora is 153 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 234 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 95 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Málaga it is number 3 of 103 cities; the regional median is 26 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Pizarra, 8 km away (35.1 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Alameda, 44 km away (76.8 °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 Álora
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 28 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 6 |
| 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 Álora water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 508 mg/L as CaCO₃ (29.7 gpg, 28.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Álora 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 Álora water?
29.7 gpg, equal to 28.5 °dH, 50.8 °fH or 508 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Álora?
For 508 mg/L (28.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Álora?
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 29012 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 29012 · Outdated figure? Tell us