Water hardness in Castelló d'Empúries
28.2 °fH very hard
Tap water in Castelló d'Empúries is very hard: 28.2 °fH (282 mg/L · 16.5 gpg · 15.8 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 17047 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 234–330 mg/L.
SINAC, the Ministry of Health's drinking-water register, reports 282 mg/L CaCO₃ for Castelló d'Empúries, very hard, with values between 234 and 330 mg/L. Nearby Alt Empordà villages range from 169 to 415 mg/L. Scale forms quickly in kettles and water heaters, and a softener is worth considering.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 28.2 °fH |
|---|
How Castelló d'Empúries compares
- Tap water in Castelló d'Empúries is 40 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1618 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 67 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Girona it is number 96 of 212 cities; the regional median is 25.9 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Fortià, 3 km away (20.5 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Vilamacolum, 7 km away (41.5 °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 Castelló d'Empúries
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Castelló d'Empúries water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 282 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.5 gpg, 15.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Castelló d'Empúries 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 Castelló d'Empúries water?
16.5 gpg, equal to 15.8 °dH, 28.2 °fH or 282 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Castelló d'Empúries?
For 282 mg/L (15.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Castelló d'Empúries?
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 17047 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 17047 · Outdated figure? Tell us