Water hardness in Elgoibar
15 °fH hard
Tap water in Elgoibar is hard: 15 °fH (150 mg/L · 8.8 gpg · 8.4 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 20032 (2025-10) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 123–157 mg/L.
SINAC, the Ministry of Health's drinking-water register, reports 150 mg/L CaCO₃ for Elgoibar, hard, with values between 123 and 157 mg/L. Eibar, Ermua and Mendaro in the Deba valley are between 147.5 and 161 mg/L, while Zaldibar is softer at 89 mg/L. Scale builds up steadily on kettles and taps.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15 °fH |
|---|
How Elgoibar compares
- Tap water in Elgoibar is 25 % softer than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 3010 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 39 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Guipúzcoa it is number 46 of 86 cities; the regional median is 15.3 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Zaldibar, 10 km away (8.9 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Aizarnazabal, 15 km away (20.9 °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 Elgoibar
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| 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 Elgoibar water hard or soft?
It is hard: 150 mg/L as CaCO₃ (8.8 gpg, 8.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Elgoibar 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 Elgoibar water?
8.8 gpg, equal to 8.4 °dH, 15 °fH or 150 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Elgoibar?
For 150 mg/L (8.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 4–5.
Do I need a water softener in Elgoibar?
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 20032 (2025-10). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 20032 · Outdated figure? Tell us