Essex · East Of England

Is Colchester water hard or soft?

Hard at 288 ppm · 16 postcode districts

  • Supplier Anglian Water
  • County Essex
  • Postcodes 16
Area average
288
ppm CaCO₃
Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

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The average water hardness in Colchester is 288 ppm, classified as hard. Colchester is served by Anglian Water, covering 16 postcode districts across Essex in the East Of England region.

Hardness varies across the area — see the table below for a breakdown by postcode district. CO16 has the hardest water at 304 ppm, while CO1 is the softest at 273 ppm.

By postcode

Water Hardness by Postcode in Colchester

Sorted by hardness — tap a postcode for full details.

Postcode Water Company Hardness PPM Level
CO16 Anglian Water
304
304 ppm Very Hard
CO15 Anglian Water
303
303 ppm Very Hard
CO14 Anglian Water
302
302 ppm Very Hard
CO13 Anglian Water
301
301 ppm Very Hard
CO12 Anglian Water
300
300 ppm Hard
CO11 Anglian Water
299
299 ppm Hard
CO10 Anglian Water
298
298 ppm Hard
CO9 Anglian Water
281
281 ppm Hard
CO8 Anglian Water
280
280 ppm Hard
CO7 Anglian Water
279
279 ppm Hard
CO6 Anglian Water
278
278 ppm Hard
CO5 Anglian Water
277
277 ppm Hard
CO4 Anglian Water
276
276 ppm Hard
CO3 Anglian Water
275
275 ppm Hard
CO2 Anglian Water
274
274 ppm Hard
CO1 Anglian Water
273
273 ppm Hard
Suppliers

Water Companies Serving Colchester

Tap for full coverage area and hardness data.

Anglian Water

321 ppm Very Hard

Water Hardness Guides

Learn more about water hardness and how to manage it.

What Is Water Hardness? Effects Solutions Water Softeners Limescale Removal
Recommended

Products for Colchester

Popular choices for households dealing with hard water.

Splendid Twin Tank Water Softener

From ~£400

Twin-tank electric softener sized for 1 to 7 bedroom homes. Removes limescale from pipes, boilers, and appliances and delivers continuous soft water, with metered regeneration to keep salt use low.

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Philips Shower Filter

From ~£30

Quick win for skin and hair in hard water areas. Reduces chlorine and limescale, fits standard shower hoses in minutes, no tools needed. Cartridge lasts around 6 months.

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BRITA Marella Water Filter Jug

From ~£20

UK's best-selling filter jug. Reduces limescale, chlorine, and metals for better-tasting tap water. Quick first step alongside a softener.

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FAQ

Common questions about Colchester water

Is Colchester water hard or soft?
Colchester is classified as hard, averaging 288 ppm across 16 postcode districts. Expect visible limescale on kettles and taps within weeks at this level.
Which postcode in Colchester has the hardest water?
CO16 has the hardest water in Colchester at 304 ppm, while CO1 is the softest at 273 ppm. See the full table above for every district.
Which water company supplies Colchester?
Colchester is supplied by Anglian Water, covering 16 postcode districts across Essex.
Is tap water in Colchester safe to drink?
Yes. All tap water in Colchester meets UK drinking water standards. Hardness affects taste and limescale buildup but not safety.
Do I need a water softener in Colchester?
At 288 ppm, many households in Colchester notice limescale in kettles and showerheads within weeks. A shower filter is the cheapest first step; a whole-house softener gives the most complete protection.
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