Water hardness in Le Locle
29.4 °fH very hard
Tap water in Le Locle is very hard: 29.4 °fH (294 mg/L · 17.2 gpg · 16.5 °dH).
Source: Viteos SA (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
In the Neuchâtel Jura, the water comes mostly from springs in karstified Jura limestone, supplemented by water from Lake Neuchâtel. Viteos SA reports a hardness of 294.0 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 | 29.4 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Viteos SA |
How Le Locle compares
- Tap water in Le Locle is 10 % harder than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 251 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 61 % of these cities have softer water.
- In NE it is number 1 of 7 cities; the regional median is 26.8 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: La Chaux-de-Fonds, 8 km away (19.9 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Hauterive, 42 km away (37.7 °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 Le Locle
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| 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 Le Locle water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 294 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17.2 gpg, 16.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Le Locle 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 Le Locle water?
17.2 gpg, equal to 16.5 °dH, 29.4 °fH or 294 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Le Locle?
For 294 mg/L (16.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Le Locle?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Viteos SA (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Viteos SA (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) · Outdated figure? Tell us