Water hardness in Valencia
50 °fH very hard
Tap water in Valencia is very hard: 50 °fH (500 mg/L · 29.2 gpg · 28 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 46250 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 420–943 mg/L.
Water arrives from the Júcar and Turia rivers by the Júcar-Turia canal, with some wells. Official analyses put the water at 500 mg/L CaCO₃, very hard, with values between 420 and 943 mg/L. Limestone and sedimentary rock dissolve plenty of calcium and magnesium, hence the high hardness. 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 | 50 °fH |
|---|
How Valencia compares
- Tap water in Valencia is 149 % harder than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 252 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 95 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Valencia/València it is number 19 of 250 cities; the regional median is 36 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Albalat dels Sorells, 10 km away (14 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sagunto/Sagunt, 29 km away (71.3 °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 Valencia
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 28 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 6 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S4 |
| 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 Valencia water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 500 mg/L as CaCO₃ (29.2 gpg, 28 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Valencia 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 Valencia water?
29.2 gpg, equal to 28 °dH, 50 °fH or 500 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Valencia?
For 500 mg/L (28 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Valencia?
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 46250 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 46250 · Outdated figure? Tell us