Water hardness in Banyoles
84.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Banyoles is very hard: 84.5 °fH (845 mg/L · 49.4 gpg · 47.3 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 17015 (2026-10) · data checked 2026-10-21
SINAC data from the Ministry of Health for October 2026 put Banyoles at 845 mg/L CaCO₃. In the Pla de l'Estany area the water crosses karst terrain with limestone and gypsum-bearing layers, which explains hardness far above most municipalities. 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 | 84.5 °fH |
|---|
How Banyoles compares
- Tap water in Banyoles is 320 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 36 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 99 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Girona it is number 2 of 212 cities; the regional median is 25.9 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Fontcoberta, 3 km away (40.3 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Torà, 115 km away (127.9 °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 Banyoles
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H07 |
| Miele | 47 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 10 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S5 |
| 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 Banyoles water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 845 mg/L as CaCO₃ (49.4 gpg, 47.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Banyoles 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 Banyoles water?
49.4 gpg, equal to 47.3 °dH, 84.5 °fH or 845 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Banyoles?
For 845 mg/L (47.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Banyoles?
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 17015 (2026-10). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 17015 · Outdated figure? Tell us