Water hardness in Palamós
29.3 °fH very hard
Tap water in Palamós is very hard: 29.3 °fH (293 mg/L · 17.1 gpg · 16.4 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 17118 (2026-01) · data checked 2026-10-19
For Palamós, SINAC (the Ministry of Health's water-supply system) records 293 mg/L CaCO₃ as of January 2026. Much of the water in this part of Girona comes from wells and aquifers in the Empordà and along the coast, in ground rich in limestone and carbonate sediments. Scale builds up regularly in kettles, taps and the washing-machine heating element, so they need frequent cleaning.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 29.3 °fH |
|---|
How Palamós compares
- Tap water in Palamós is 46 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1512 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 70 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Girona it is number 89 of 212 cities; the regional median is 25.9 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Castell-Platja d'Aro, 9 km away (19.8 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Mont-ras, 3 km away (38 °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 Palamós
| 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 Palamós water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 293 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17.1 gpg, 16.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Palamós 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 Palamós water?
17.1 gpg, equal to 16.4 °dH, 29.3 °fH or 293 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Palamós?
For 293 mg/L (16.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Palamós?
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 17118 (2026-01). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 17118 · Outdated figure? Tell us