Water hardness in Atarfe
31.3 °fH very hard
Tap water in Atarfe is very hard: 31.3 °fH (313 mg/L · 18.3 gpg · 17.5 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 18022 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 142–727 mg/L.
For Atarfe, SINAC (the Ministry of Health's water-supply system) records 312.5 mg/L CaCO₃, with readings from 142 to 727 mg/L as of August 2026, so it varies a lot with the supply point and the blend at the time. In Granada province water comes from Sierra Nevada and limestone ranges as well as wells in the vega and basins, so hardness depends on which of those sources dominates. This hardness forms limescale quickly in kettles, water heaters and washing machines; in a home, a softener is usually worth considering.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 31.3 °fH |
|---|
How Atarfe compares
- Tap water in Atarfe is 55 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1310 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 74 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Granada it is number 45 of 171 cities; the regional median is 23.3 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Calicasas, 7 km away (21.7 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Maracena, 7 km away (42 °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 Atarfe
| 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 Atarfe water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 313 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18.3 gpg, 17.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Atarfe 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 Atarfe water?
18.3 gpg, equal to 17.5 °dH, 31.3 °fH or 313 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Atarfe?
For 313 mg/L (17.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Atarfe?
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 18022 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 18022 · Outdated figure? Tell us