Water hardness in Calafell
34.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Calafell is very hard: 34.5 °fH (345 mg/L · 20.2 gpg · 19.3 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 43037 (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
SINAC data from the Ministry of Health for August 2026 put Calafell at 345 mg/L CaCO₃. This part of Tarragona is supplied by a mix of Ebro water, delivered through the Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona pipeline, and local aquifers, depending on the municipality. 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 | 34.5 °fH |
|---|
How Calafell compares
- Tap water in Calafell is 72 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1019 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 79 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Tarragona it is number 100 of 181 cities; the regional median is 35.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Alió, 24 km away (22.8 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bonastre, 11 km away (60 °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 Calafell
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| 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 Calafell water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 345 mg/L as CaCO₃ (20.2 gpg, 19.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Calafell 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 Calafell water?
20.2 gpg, equal to 19.3 °dH, 34.5 °fH or 345 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Calafell?
For 345 mg/L (19.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Calafell?
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 43037 (2026-08). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 43037 · Outdated figure? Tell us