Lancashire · North West

Is Preston water hard or soft?

Moderately Hard at 122 ppm · 11 postcode districts

  • Supplier United Utilities
  • County Lancashire
  • Postcodes 11
Area average
122
ppm CaCO₃
Moderately Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

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The average water hardness in Preston is 122 ppm, classified as moderately hard. Preston is served by United Utilities, covering 11 postcode districts across Lancashire in the North West region.

Hardness varies across the area — see the table below for a breakdown by postcode district. PR9 has the hardest water at 131 ppm, while PR25 is the softest at 101 ppm.

By postcode

Water Hardness by Postcode in Preston

Sorted by hardness — tap a postcode for full details.

Postcode Water Company Hardness PPM Level
PR9 United Utilities
131
131 ppm Moderately Hard
PR8 United Utilities
130
130 ppm Moderately Hard
PR7 United Utilities
129
129 ppm Moderately Hard
PR6 United Utilities
128
128 ppm Moderately Hard
PR5 United Utilities
127
127 ppm Moderately Hard
PR4 United Utilities
126
126 ppm Moderately Hard
PR3 United Utilities
125
125 ppm Moderately Hard
PR2 United Utilities
124
124 ppm Moderately Hard
PR1 United Utilities
123
123 ppm Moderately Hard
PR26 United Utilities
102
102 ppm Slightly Hard
PR25 United Utilities
101
101 ppm Slightly Hard
Suppliers

Water Companies Serving Preston

Tap for full coverage area and hardness data.

United Utilities

77 ppm Slightly Hard

Water Hardness Guides

Learn more about water hardness and how to manage it.

What Is Water Hardness? Effects Solutions Water Softeners Limescale Removal

Test Your Water in Preston

At 122 ppm, your water is moderately hard. A home testing kit lets you verify the exact hardness and check for other contaminants.

TESPERT 16-in-1 Water Testing Kit

From ~£10

Home water test strips that check hardness, pH, chlorine, lead, and 12 other parameters. Results in around 60 seconds. 125 strips per pack.

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FAQ

Common questions about Preston water

Is Preston water hard or soft?
Preston is classified as moderately hard, averaging 122 ppm across 11 postcode districts. Limescale build-up is minimal at this level, though individual postcodes vary.
Which postcode in Preston has the hardest water?
PR9 has the hardest water in Preston at 131 ppm, while PR25 is the softest at 101 ppm. See the full table above for every district.
Which water company supplies Preston?
Preston is supplied by United Utilities, covering 11 postcode districts across Lancashire.
Is tap water in Preston safe to drink?
Yes. All tap water in Preston meets UK drinking water standards. Hardness affects taste and limescale buildup but not safety.
Does Preston have any harder-water postcodes?
PR9 is the hardest district at 131 ppm (moderately hard), though most of Preston averages 122 ppm.
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