Water hardness in Neuchâtel
18.6 °fH very hard
Tap water in Neuchâtel is very hard: 18.6 °fH (186 mg/L · 10.9 gpg · 10.4 °dH).
Source: Viteos SA (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Neuchâtel draws its water mostly from springs in the Areuse gorge, supplemented by water from Lake Neuchâtel. Viteos SA reports a hardness of 186.0 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 | 18.6 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Viteos SA |
How Neuchâtel compares
- Tap water in Neuchâtel is 30 % softer than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 517 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 20 % of these cities have softer water.
- In NE it is number 7 of 7 cities; the regional median is 26.8 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Nidau, 28 km away (11.6 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Val-de-Ruz, 8 km away (28.8 °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 Neuchâtel
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 10 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| 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 Neuchâtel water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 186 mg/L as CaCO₃ (10.9 gpg, 10.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Neuchâtel 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 Neuchâtel water?
10.9 gpg, equal to 10.4 °dH, 18.6 °fH or 186 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Neuchâtel?
For 186 mg/L (10.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Neuchâtel?
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