Water hardness in Villaquilambre
9.3 °fH moderately hard
Tap water in Villaquilambre is moderately hard: 9.3 °fH (93 mg/L · 5.4 gpg · 5.2 °dH).
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 24222 (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 75–188 mg/L.
For Villaquilambre, SINAC (the Ministry of Health's water-supply system) records 92.5 mg/L CaCO₃, with readings from 75 to 188 mg/L as of September 2026, so it varies a lot with the supply point and the blend at the time. Villaquilambre, next to León, receives water from reservoirs in the León mountains, where siliceous and limestone rocks explain low but variable hardness. Scale builds up slowly; descaling the kettle and coffee machine now and then is usually enough.
Fuentes españolas usan °fH (grados hidrotimétricos franceses) o mg/L CaCO₃.
Water data
| Total hardness | 9.3 °fH |
|---|
How Villaquilambre compares
- Tap water in Villaquilambre is 54 % softer than the median of the 4988 cities we track in Spain (20.1 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 3695 of 4988 in Spain (1 = hardest); 26 % of these cities have softer water.
- In León it is number 39 of 114 cities; the regional median is 7 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Valverde de la Virgen, 17 km away (6.3 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Sariegos, 8 km away (16.9 °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 Villaquilambre
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Villaquilambre water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 93 mg/L as CaCO₃ (5.4 gpg, 5.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Villaquilambre 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 Villaquilambre water?
5.4 gpg, equal to 5.2 °dH, 9.3 °fH or 93 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Villaquilambre?
For 93 mg/L (5.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Villaquilambre?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 24222 (2026-09). Method: own measurement. SINAC, Ministerio de Sanidad — Información de un abastecimiento, municipio 24222 · Outdated figure? Tell us