Water hardness in Montreux
22.2 °fH very hard
Tap water in Montreux is very hard: 22.2 °fH (222 mg/L · 13 gpg · 12.4 °dH).
Source: SIGE Service intercommunal de gestion, Information sur la qualité de l eau distribuée en 2025 (OPBD art. 5), PDF dated 23.03.2026 (2025) · data checked 2026-11-14
Range across supply zones: 151–279 mg/L.
3 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| °fH | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Réseau inférieur de Montreux | 15.8 | 158 | hard |
| Réseau moyen de Montreux | 23.9 | 239 | very hard |
| Réseau supérieur de Montreux | 22.2 | 222 | very hard |
Montreux is covered by the same SIGE 2025 quality report as Vevey, published in March 2026. It lists three supply zones with hardness from 151 to 279 mg/L CaCO₃, and the median used here is 222 mg/L, very hard. The zones differ by about 130 mg/L, so the zone matters more than the town average. Ask SIGE which one supplies your home.
In der Schweiz wird meist in °fH angegeben (1 °fH = 0,56 °dH).
Water data
| Total hardness | 22.2 °fH |
|---|
How Montreux compares
- Tap water in Montreux is 17 % softer than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 451 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 31 % of these cities have softer water.
- In VD it is number 10 of 15 cities; the regional median is 25.2 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Villeneuve, 4 km away (17 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Puidoux, 12 km away (28.2 °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 Montreux
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| 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 Montreux water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 222 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13 gpg, 12.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Montreux 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 Montreux water?
13 gpg, equal to 12.4 °dH, 22.2 °fH or 222 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Montreux?
For 222 mg/L (12.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Montreux?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: SIGE Service intercommunal de gestion, Information sur la qualité de l eau distribuée en 2025 (OPBD art. 5), PDF dated 23.03.2026 (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. SIGE Service intercommunal de gestion, Information sur la qualité de l eau distribuée en 2025 (OPBD art. 5), PDF dated 23.03.2026 · Outdated figure? Tell us