Hard Water Map – A table of water hardness in the UK
| Region | Water Hardness | PPM (parts per million) |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | Soft to moderately soft | 0 – 100 |
| East Midlands | Moderately hard to hard | 151 – 275 |
| West Midlands | Moderately hard to hard | 151 – 275 |
| South East | Hard to very hard | 201+ |
How hard is UK tap water?
UK overall has very hard water. Many areas having 200mg of calcium carbonate per litre. 60% of uk households live in a hard water area.
Is water in the UK soft or hard?
In the UK, water tends to be hardest in the South East and London, the Midlands and eastern Wales. As you move further north into northern England and Scotland, the water becomes much softer. The South West of England, western Wales and Northern Ireland also tend to have very soft water.
What is classed as hard water UK?
Water hardness is measured by the number of mineral deposits in your water (parts per million – ppm). A soft water area would have under 60ppm while a very hard water area would register more than 180ppm.
What is standard water hardness?
Measures of water hardness
General guidelines for classification of waters are: 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180 mg/L as very hard. Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions.
Why is UK water so hard?
We source 65% of our water from local rivers and 35% from natural reservoirs under the ground. This means it passes through soft chalky limestone many times. That’s why all the water in our region is hard. You can find out the water hardness level for your area by searching your postcode online.
Who has the cleanest water in UK?
In a 2020 survey we asked over 500 people across the UK to rank the taste and quality of the tap water where they live. This is what people said.
Best in order of ranking:
- Scotland.
- South West (Bristol)
- Yorkshire and the Humber (Leeds)
- North Ireland (Belfast)
- Wales (Cardiff)
Which UK counties have soft water?
Most of Devon and Cornwall in the south, North Yorkshire and Cumbria in the north and the western counties of Wales have soft to moderately soft water. Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and Lancashire down through the Midlands tend to have slightly hard to modrately hard water.
Which areas of UK have soft water?
The South East of England and london water hardness levels are predominantly high. Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the main have soft water as you can see in the water hardness map.
Is soft water better for your hair?
Because soft water can penetrate the hair follicle more fully, it generally helps hair look shinier, softer, and less damaged. In addition to being gentler on your hair, soft water lathers more quickly and easily so you don’t need to use as much product as you would with hard water.
How do I know if I have hard water UK?
Soft water contains less than 100mg of calcium carbonate per litre. Moderately hard water contains between 100 and 200mg of calcium carbonate per litre. Hard water contains between 200 and 300mg of calcium carbonate per litre. Very hard water contains more than 300mg of calcium carbonate per litre.
How do I know my water hardness level?
Use a High-Quality Hard Water Test Kit. A home water test kit is the simplest (and probably the best) way to check your water for hardness minerals. A regular kit usually includes water test strips and a color chart. You can purchase a test kit from a local home improvement store or a reputable online retailer.
How do you soften hard water UK?
Add washing soda when you wash your clothes – Washing soda or sodium carbonate is soluble in water, and reacts with the hard water minerals calcium and magnesium to soften your water.
What is the ideal water hardness for a house?
If water hardness is between 0–3 grains per gallon, then your water is at the ideal water hardness and it won’t require a softener.
What should I set my water hardness to?
The rule of thumb is that a good hardness level should not be higher than 120 to 170 mg/L, i.e., seven to ten grains per gallon of water. An accurate water analysis report should show you the hardness level. You can get the water tested in a lab, or do it yourself at home with a water hardness test kit.
What level of hardness is bad?
If your water’s hardness is greater than 7 grains per gallon or 120 mg/L, then you might need a water softener to ensure your appliances run well and to improve the taste, smell, or look of your water.
Is hard water safe to drink UK?
In general, hard water does not pose a threat to human health. Calcium and magnesium are the two minerals most commonly found in hard water. Neither of these minerals are harmful to humans.
Where is the best water in the UK?
Best tasting tap water in the UK
- Severn Trent Water. Cities covered: Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, Gloucester, Warwick, Shrewsbury.
- Anglian Water. Cities covered: Lincoln, Northampton, Cambridge, Basildon, Ipswich, Norwich.
- Thames Water.
- Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.
- Southern Water.
- Scottish Water.
- South West Water.
- Yorkshire Water.
What is London water hardness?
Although London’s water hardness levels differ from borough to borough, the average for London as a whole is 293 parts per million (ppm). This represents the amount of calcium carbonate in each litre of water.
Is UK tap water better than bottled?
The bottom line
You might also prefer bottled water for its taste and smell. However, a cheaper and equally healthy source of water in the UK is tap water, which is completely safe to drink and provides good mineral content. Whatever your preference, the important thing is to keep drinking.
Is it safe to drink bathroom tap water in the UK?
Bathroom tap water supply
This tank is supplied by the mains water supply but is stored for later use, unlike a direct water system. While this water is acceptable to use and generally safe to drink, it can lead to some issues such as bacteria build-up. Other contaminants can sometimes also be found in this tank.