Water hardness in Östersund
3.4 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Östersund is moderately hard: 3.4 °dH (61 mg/L · 3.5 gpg · 6 °fH).
Source: Östersunds kommun, Dricksvatten - Våra vattenverk (web page) (2026-07) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 54–63 mg/L.
Östersunds kommun publishes a rolling table for Östersunds vattenverk, based on monthly means from May 2025 to May 2026. The average is 60.5 mg/L CaCO₃, within a narrow band of 53.6 to 62.5 mg/L, so the monthly means barely moved over that year. The municipality runs several other waterworks, which we have not used for the city figure. At this hardness, scale is light and a softener is hard to justify on hardness alone.
Swedish municipalities report °dH; most surface-water supplies are soft.
Water data
| Total hardness | 3.4 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Östersunds kommun (Östersunds vattenverk) |
How Östersund compares
- Tap water in Östersund is 28 % softer than the median of the 33 cities we track in Sweden (4.7 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 20 of 33 in Sweden (1 = hardest); 41 % of these cities have softer water.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Sweden →
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 Östersund
| 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 Östersund water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 61 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.5 gpg, 3.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Östersund 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 Östersund water?
3.5 gpg, equal to 3.4 °dH, 6 °fH or 61 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Östersund?
For 61 mg/L (3.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Östersund?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Östersunds kommun, Dricksvatten - Våra vattenverk (web page) (2026-07). Method: own measurement. Östersunds kommun, Dricksvatten - Våra vattenverk (web page) · Outdated figure? Tell us