Water hardness in Sant Carles de la Ràpita
32 °fH very hard
Tap water in Sant Carles de la Ràpita is very hard: 32 °fH (320 mg/L · 18.7 gpg · 17.9 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 43136 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
SINAC data from the Ministry of Health for September 2026 put Sant Carles de la Ràpita at 320 mg/L CaCO₃. On the Tarragona coast supply combines local sources with Ebro water; the river and the aquifers cross limestone and gypsum-bearing ground, which gives hard water. With water this hard, scale shortens the life of heating elements and hot-water pipes and often justifies treatment at home.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 32 °fH |
|---|
How Sant Carles de la Ràpita compares
- Tap water in Sant Carles de la Ràpita is 59 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 1236 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 75 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Tarragona it is number 116 of 181 cities; the regional median is 35.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Roquetes, 24 km away (25.6 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Amposta, 9 km away (45.4 °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 Sant Carles de la Ràpita
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 18 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Sant Carles de la Ràpita water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 320 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18.7 gpg, 17.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Sant Carles de la Ràpita 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 Sant Carles de la Ràpita water?
18.7 gpg, equal to 17.9 °dH, 32 °fH or 320 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Sant Carles de la Ràpita?
For 320 mg/L (17.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Sant Carles de la Ràpita?
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 43136 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 43136 · Outdated figure? Tell us