Water hardness in Kungälv
2 °dH soft
Tap water in Kungälv is soft: 2 °dH (35 mg/L · 2.1 gpg · 3.5 °fH).
Source: Kungälvs kommun, Vattenkvalitet sammanställning 2025 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 27–102 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Kungälvs kommun reports 2025 figures for four supply areas. The distribution network gives 35.2 mg/L CaCO₃, which is the city figure, and the areas range from 26.8 to 101.7 mg/L. The harder end is the Lysegården network, a separate supply from the island and main networks. Check which network your address is on before judging scale.
Swedish municipalities report °dH; most surface-water supplies are soft.
Water data
| Total hardness | 2 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Kungälvs kommun (municipal VA) |
How Kungälv compares
- Tap water in Kungälv is 58 % softer than the median of the 33 cities we track in Sweden (4.7 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 32 of 33 in Sweden (1 = hardest); 3 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Vänersborg, 60 km away (1.4 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Björlanda, 15 km away (3 °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 Kungälv
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °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 Kungälv water hard or soft?
It is soft: 35 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2.1 gpg, 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 Kungälv 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 Kungälv water?
2.1 gpg, equal to 2 °dH, 3.5 °fH or 35 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Kungälv?
For 35 mg/L (2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Kungälv?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Kungälvs kommun, Vattenkvalitet sammanställning 2025 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Kungälvs kommun, Vattenkvalitet sammanställning 2025 · Outdated figure? Tell us