Water hardness in Bern
21 °fH very hard
Tap water in Bern is very hard: 21 °fH (210 mg/L · 12.3 gpg · 11.8 °dH).
Source: Wasserverbund Region Bern AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2023) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 204–221 mg/L.
The Wasserverbund Region Bern supplies the city mainly with groundwater from the Aare valley and the Emmental, used with little treatment. Wasserverbund Region Bern AG reports a hardness of 210.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with values from 204.0 to 221.0 mg/L depending on the address. Scale forms quickly on heating elements and fittings, so a softener or strict descaling routine is worth considering.
In der Schweiz wird meist in °fH angegeben (1 °fH = 0,56 °dH).
Water data
| Total hardness | 21 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Wasserverbund Region Bern AG |
How Bern compares
- Tap water in Bern is 21 % softer than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 474 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 26 % of these cities have softer water.
- In BE it is number 49 of 83 cities; the regional median is 23 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nidau, 25 km away (11.6 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Belp, 7 km away (27.2 °fH).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Switzerland →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Bern
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Bern water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 210 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.3 gpg, 11.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Bern safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. In der Schweiz wird meist in °fH angegeben (1 °fH = 0,56 °dH).
How many grains per gallon is Bern water?
12.3 gpg, equal to 11.8 °dH, 21 °fH or 210 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Bern?
For 210 mg/L (11.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Bern?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Wasserverbund Region Bern AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2023). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Wasserverbund Region Bern AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) · Outdated figure? Tell us