Water hardness in Melilla
88.1 °fH very hard
Tap water in Melilla is very hard: 88.1 °fH (881 mg/L · 51.5 gpg · 49.4 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 52001 (2026-02) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 360–1377 mg/L.
The water comes from seawater desalination and local sources. Official analyses put the water at 881 mg/L CaCO₃, very hard, with values between 360 and 1377 mg/L depending on network, source and season. Scale deposits quickly in kettles, heaters and heating elements; many households fit a softener.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 88.1 °fH |
|---|
How Melilla compares
- Tap water in Melilla is 338 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 29 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 99 % of these cities have softer water.
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 Melilla
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H07 |
| Miele | 49 °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 Melilla water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 881 mg/L as CaCO₃ (51.5 gpg, 49.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Melilla 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 Melilla water?
51.5 gpg, equal to 49.4 °dH, 88.1 °fH or 881 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Melilla?
For 881 mg/L (49.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Melilla?
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 52001 (2026-02). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 52001 · Outdated figure? Tell us