Water hardness in Stockholm
5 °dH moderately hard
Tap water in Stockholm is moderately hard: 5 °dH (89 mg/L · 5.2 gpg · 8.9 °fH).
Source: Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB, Vattenkvalitet (web page) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 71–107 mg/L.
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall prints a band for the whole city, not a single reading. The 89.2 mg/L CaCO₃ shown here is the midpoint of that band, which runs from 71.4 to 107.1 mg/L, and the utility itself classes the water as soft. The page carries no date, and we have not mapped individual streets to the Norsborg or Lovö waterworks. At this level scale builds slowly, so a descaling cycle in the kettle is usually enough.
Swedish municipalities report °dH; most surface-water supplies are soft.
Water data
| Total hardness | 5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB |
How Stockholm compares
- Tap water in Stockholm is 6 % harder than the median of the 33 cities we track in Sweden (4.7 °dH).
- By hardness it ranks 13 of 33 in Sweden (1 = hardest); 56 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Köping, 119 km away (2 °dH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Danderyd, 9 km away (6.3 °dH).
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 Stockholm
| 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 Stockholm water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 89 mg/L as CaCO₃ (5.2 gpg, 5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Stockholm 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 Stockholm water?
5.2 gpg, equal to 5 °dH, 8.9 °fH or 89 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Stockholm?
For 89 mg/L (5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Stockholm?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB, Vattenkvalitet (web page) (2026). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB, Vattenkvalitet (web page) · Outdated figure? Tell us