Water hardness in Loja
22.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Loja is very hard: 22.5 °fH (225 mg/L · 13.1 gpg · 12.6 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 18122 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 169–299 mg/L.
SINAC data from the Ministry of Health for September 2026 put Loja at 225 mg/L CaCO₃, with readings from 169 to 299 mg/L. In Granada province water comes from Sierra Nevada and limestone ranges as well as wells in the vega and basins, so hardness depends on which of those sources dominates. This is hard water: it leaves white marks on fittings and appliances need descaling fairly often.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 22.5 °fH |
|---|
How Loja compares
- Tap water in Loja is 12 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 2250 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 55 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Granada it is number 88 of 171 cities; the regional median is 23.3 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Villanueva del Trabuco, 23 km away (14 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Zagra, 5 km away (41.2 °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 Loja
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| 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 Loja water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 225 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13.1 gpg, 12.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Loja 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 Loja water?
13.1 gpg, equal to 12.6 °dH, 22.5 °fH or 225 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Loja?
For 225 mg/L (12.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Loja?
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 18122 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 18122 · Outdated figure? Tell us