Water hardness in Azpeitia
14.3 °fH hard
Tap water in Azpeitia is hard: 14.3 °fH (143 mg/L · 8.4 gpg · 8 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 20018 (2025-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 38–235 mg/L.
The hardness recorded in SINAC for Azpeitia is 143 mg/L CaCO₃, with readings from 38 to 235 mg/L, based on September 2025 data, so it varies a lot with the supply point and the blend at the time. In the Basque Country water comes from reservoirs and springs on the Cantabrian side, with limestone and marl in the massifs and sandstone elsewhere; hardness runs from low to moderate. Limescale starts to show on glass and coffee machines, though the effect at home is moderate.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 14.3 °fH |
|---|
How Azpeitia compares
- Tap water in Azpeitia is 29 % softer than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 3098 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 38 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Guipúzcoa it is number 56 of 86 cities; the regional median is 15.3 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Ezkio-Itsaso, 11 km away (6.7 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Errezil, 6 km away (19 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Spain →
What it means at home
- Fast scale on taps, shower screens and kettle; white spots on glassware.
- Water heater: efficiency loss and element failures within years if unprotected.
- Dry skin and dull hair after showering are common.
- Softener recommended; jug or reverse osmosis for drinking.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Recommended, especially with a heater or boiler: scale cuts efficiency and shortens its life.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 2 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Azpeitia
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H01 |
| Miele | 8 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| 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 Azpeitia water hard or soft?
It is hard: 143 mg/L as CaCO₃ (8.4 gpg, 8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Azpeitia 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 Azpeitia water?
8.4 gpg, equal to 8 °dH, 14.3 °fH or 143 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Azpeitia?
For 143 mg/L (8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Azpeitia?
Recommended if you have a water heater, boiler or tankless unit: it saves repairs and detergent.
Source
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 20018 (2025-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 20018 · Outdated figure? Tell us