Water hardness in Santa Cruz de la Palma
6.3 °fH moderately hard
Tap water in Santa Cruz de la Palma is moderately hard: 6.3 °fH (64 mg/L · 3.7 gpg · 3.6 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 38037 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 20–166 mg/L.
For Santa Cruz de la Palma, SINAC (the Ministry of Health's water-supply system) records 63.5 mg/L CaCO₃, with readings from 20 to 166 mg/L as of September 2026, so it varies a lot with the supply point and the blend at the time. In the western Canary Islands water comes mostly from galleries and wells in volcanic rock, with desalination in some areas; hardness changes with the blend. Limescale is hardly noticeable at this level, and most households do not need a softener.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 6.3 °fH |
|---|
How Santa Cruz de la Palma compares
- Tap water in Santa Cruz de la Palma is 68 % softer than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 4028 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 19 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Santa Cruz de Tenerife it is number 37 of 48 cities; the regional median is 10 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Puntallana, 5 km away (1.9 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Villa de Mazo, 13 km away (11.2 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Spain →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Santa Cruz de la Palma
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 4 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Santa Cruz de la Palma water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 64 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.7 gpg, 3.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Santa Cruz de la Palma 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 Santa Cruz de la Palma water?
3.7 gpg, equal to 3.6 °dH, 6.3 °fH or 64 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Santa Cruz de la Palma?
For 64 mg/L (3.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Santa Cruz de la Palma?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 38037 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 38037 · Outdated figure? Tell us