Water hardness in Uster
36.1 °fH very hard
Tap water in Uster is very hard: 36.1 °fH (361 mg/L · 21.1 gpg · 20.2 °dH).
Source: Energie Uster 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 Uster AG reports a hardness of 361.0 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 | 36.1 °fH |
|---|---|
| Utility | Energie Uster AG |
How Uster compares
- Tap water in Uster is 35 % harder than the median of the 650 cities we track in Switzerland (26.7 °fH).
- By hardness it ranks 73 of 650 in Switzerland (1 = hardest); 89 % of these cities have softer water.
- In ZH it is number 10 of 116 cities; the regional median is 28.4 °fH.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Mönchaltorf, 4 km away (23.2 °fH).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Oeschgen, 56 km away (52.2 °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 Uster
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 20 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| 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 Uster water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 361 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.1 gpg, 20.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Uster 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 Uster water?
21.1 gpg, equal to 20.2 °dH, 36.1 °fH or 361 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Uster?
For 361 mg/L (20.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Uster?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Energie Uster AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Energie Uster AG (via SVGW trinkwasser.ch) · Outdated figure? Tell us