Water hardness in Opfikon
23.4 °fH very hard
Tap water in Opfikon is very hard: 23.4 °fH (234 mg/L · 13.7 gpg · 13.1 °dH).
Source: Energie Opfikon AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-21
In the canton of Zurich, drinking water comes partly from Lake Zurich and partly from groundwater and springs, and communities relying mostly on groundwater and springs tend to have harder water. Energie Opfikon AG reports a hardness of 234.0 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 | 23.4 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Energie Opfikon AG |
How Opfikon compares
- Tap water in Opfikon is 12 % softer than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 423 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 35 % of these cities have softer water.
- In ZH it is number 90 of 116 cities; the regional median is 28.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Zurich, 7 km away (15.8 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Wallisellen, 2 km away (30.5 °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 Opfikon
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| 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 Opfikon water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 234 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13.7 gpg, 13.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Opfikon 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 Opfikon water?
13.7 gpg, equal to 13.1 °dH, 23.4 °fH or 234 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Opfikon?
For 234 mg/L (13.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Opfikon?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Energie Opfikon AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Energie Opfikon AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) · Outdated figure? Tell us