Water hardness in Birsfelden
26.5 °fH very hard
Tap water in Birsfelden is very hard: 26.5 °fH (265 mg/L · 15.5 gpg · 14.8 °dH).
Source: Birsfelden (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-21
In the Basel area, drinking water is drawn from groundwater in the Rhine and Birs plains, partly topped up with Rhine water infiltrated in the Hard forest, and the limestone of the Jura sets the hardness. Birsfelden reports a hardness of 265.0 mg/L CaCO₃. 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 | 26.5 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Birsfelden |
How Birsfelden compares
- Tap water in Birsfelden is close to the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 333 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 49 % of these cities have softer water.
- In BL it is number 22 of 30 cities; the regional median is 29 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Basel, 3 km away (16.5 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Giebenach, 9 km away (48.2 °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 Birsfelden
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 15 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Birsfelden water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 265 mg/L as CaCO₃ (15.5 gpg, 14.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Birsfelden 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 Birsfelden water?
15.5 gpg, equal to 14.8 °dH, 26.5 °fH or 265 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Birsfelden?
For 265 mg/L (14.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Birsfelden?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Birsfelden (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Birsfelden (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) · Outdated figure? Tell us