Water hardness in Kaohsiung
186 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Kaohsiung is very hard: 186 mg/L (10.9 gpg · 10.4 °dH · 18.6 °fH).
Source: Taiwan Water Corporation open data (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 71–293 mg/L.
The city figure is the median of its districts, 186.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with district values from 71.1 to 293.0 mg/L. Kaohsiung draws on Gaoping River water, local reservoirs such as Fengshan, and groundwater. Water this hard leaves heavy limescale on heating elements and taps and shortens the interval between descaling. The spread between plants is wide, so check which plant serves your street.
Taiwan Water Corporation reports total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water standard is 300 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 186 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Taiwan Water Corporation |
How Kaohsiung compares
- Tap water in Kaohsiung is 48 % harder than the median of the 265 cities we track in Taiwan (126 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 57 of 265 in Taiwan (1 = hardest); 77 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Kaohsiung it is number 13 of 21 cities; the regional median is 202 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Niaosong, 7 km away (146 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ligang, 26 km away (251 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 Kaohsiung
| 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 Kaohsiung 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 Kaohsiung 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 Kaohsiung 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 Kaohsiung?
For 186 mg/L (10.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Kaohsiung?
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