Water hardness in Gothenburg
3 °dH soft
Tap water in Gothenburg is soft: 3 °dH (53 mg/L · 3.1 gpg · 5.3 °fH).
Source: Göteborgs Stad Kretslopp och vatten, Vattenkvalitet vid vattenverk 2025 (jan-dec) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-22
Range across supply zones: 21–69 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °dH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alelyckans vattenverk (Alelyckan supply zone) | 2.8 | 49 | soft |
| Lackarebäcks vattenverk (Lackarebäck supply zone) | 3.2 | 57 | soft |
Gothenburg's drinking water is taken mainly from the Göta älv river and treated at the Alelyckan and Lackarebäck plants. The river carries soft water out of Lake Vänern's crystalline catchment. The figure shown, 53.0 mg/L CaCO₃, is the median across 2 supply zones, which range from 20.5 to 68.9 mg/L, so it depends on which zone your street is in. Limescale is a minor issue here; a softener is unlikely to be necessary.
Swedish municipalities report °dH; most surface-water supplies are soft.
Water data
| Total hardness | 3 °dH |
|---|---|
| Calcium (mg/L) | 20 |
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 1.6 |
| Utility | Göteborgs Stad, Kretslopp och vatten |
How Gothenburg compares
- Tap water in Gothenburg is 37 % softer than the median of the 33 cities we track in Sweden (4.7 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 25 of 33 in Sweden (1 = hardest); 25 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Kungälv, 18 km away (2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Värnamo, 137 km away (6.9 °dH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Sweden →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Gothenburg
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 3 °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 Gothenburg water hard or soft?
It is soft: 53 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.1 gpg, 3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Gothenburg safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Swedish municipalities report °dH; most surface-water supplies are soft.
How many grains per gallon is Gothenburg water?
3.1 gpg, equal to 3 °dH, 5.3 °fH or 53 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Gothenburg?
For 53 mg/L (3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Gothenburg?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Göteborgs Stad Kretslopp och vatten, Vattenkvalitet vid vattenverk 2025 (jan-dec) (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Göteborgs Stad Kretslopp och vatten, Vattenkvalitet vid vattenverk 2025 (jan-dec) · Outdated figure? Tell us