Water hardness in Ittigen
20.4 °fH very hard
Tap water in Ittigen is very hard: 20.4 °fH (204 mg/L · 11.9 gpg · 11.4 °dH).
Source: Wasserverbund Region Bern AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2023) · data checked 2026-11-14
Range across supply zones: 197–210 mg/L.
Ittigen is supplied by Wasserverbund Region Bern AG (WVRB) from the Mannenberg reservoir. The 2023 entry on trinkwasser.ch gives 197 to 210 mg/L CaCO₃, with 204 mg/L as the figure used here, very hard. This describes the supplier's Mannenberg supply, not individual addresses in Ittigen. Scale builds up in kettles and boilers at this level.
In der Schweiz wird meist in °fH angegeben (1 °fH = 0,56 °dH).
Water data
| Total hardness | 20.4 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Wasserverbund Region Bern AG (WVRB), Reservoir Mannenberg |
How Ittigen compares
- Tap water in Ittigen is 24 % softer than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 490 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 24 % of these cities have softer water.
- In BE it is number 57 of 83 cities; the regional median is 23 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nidau, 24 km away (11.6 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Belp, 10 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 Ittigen
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °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 Ittigen water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 204 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.9 gpg, 11.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ittigen 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 Ittigen water?
11.9 gpg, equal to 11.4 °dH, 20.4 °fH or 204 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ittigen?
For 204 mg/L (11.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Ittigen?
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