Water hardness in Gaoshu
243 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Gaoshu is very hard: 243 mg/L (14.2 gpg · 13.6 °dH · 24.3 °fH).
Source: Taiwan Water Corporation open data (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Tap water in Gaoshu measures 243.0 mg/L CaCO₃ in Taiwan Water Corporation's 2026 publication. Pingtung lies in the Gaoping River basin, whose water also supplies Kaohsiung and Tainan; the local raw-water mix is not confirmed here. Hard water here scales water heaters and kettles noticeably; whole-house scale control pays off for larger households.
Taiwan Water Corporation reports total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water standard is 300 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 243 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Taiwan Water Corporation |
How Gaoshu compares
- Tap water in Gaoshu is 93 % harder than the median of the 265 cities we track in Taiwan (126 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 8 of 265 in Taiwan (1 = hardest); 97 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Pingtung County it is number 5 of 27 cities; the regional median is 155 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Maolin, 9 km away (148 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Taiwan →
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 Gaoshu
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 14 °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 Gaoshu water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 243 mg/L as CaCO₃ (14.2 gpg, 13.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Gaoshu safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Taiwan Water Corporation reports total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water standard is 300 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Gaoshu water?
14.2 gpg, equal to 13.6 °dH, 24.3 °fH or 243 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Gaoshu?
For 243 mg/L (13.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Gaoshu?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Taiwan Water Corporation open data (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Taiwan Water Corporation open data · Outdated figure? Tell us