Water hardness

BN16 Littlehampton

Harder than the UK average. Expect visible limescale on kettles and taps.

At 223 ppm, Littlehampton sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 223 ppm South East Southern Water

Your reading

223

parts per million

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very hard

0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 223 ppm in Littlehampton (hard water).

Significant limescale buildup in kettles, pipes and boilers
Soap scum on shower screens and taps
Higher energy bills from scale in heating elements
Dry skin and dull hair after washing
White residue on dishes and glassware

Heat loss

Moderate scaling

Softener salt

£13–22

per year

Worth it?

Yes

at 223 ppm

Suggested for hard water

Whole-house water softener

Best long-term protection for boilers and pipes.

From £600 installed

Shower head filter

A simple first step for limescale on tiles and glass.

From £25

Filter jug or under-sink

Improves taste and reduces kettle scale.

From £20

Softening

Should you soften the water in Littlehampton?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on BN16's 223 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener recommended

Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

Recommended size

24k

grain capacity, regenerates ~every 12 days

Salt running cost

£13–22

per year (~46 kg salt)

Limescale

est. heater efficiency loss. Moderate scaling

Soap saving

Moderate

Noticeable saving: soaps lather more easily, cutting detergent use.

Appliance impact at 223 ppm: noticeable: boiler/dishwasher life cut without descaling. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 12 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Recommended

Products for Littlehampton

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.

View on Amazon

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.

View on Amazon

Water quality details

Hardness data for BN16

Sourced from Southern Water's published water-quality reports and public records.

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)	223
Degrees Clark (°Clark)	15.6
Degrees French (°fH)	22.3
Degrees German (°dH)	12.5
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)	89

Supplier and area

Water supplier Southern Water

Region South East

County East Sussex

Hardness band Hard

UK average 207 ppm

Visit Southern Water page

Official source

Southern Water water-hardness report

Enter your postcode in the hard water checker to get your hardness band and a full water quality report in mg/l, Clarke, French or German degrees.

Nearby

Other areas near Littlehampton

FAQ

Common questions about BN16

What is the water hardness in BN16 Littlehampton?

The water in BN16 Littlehampton has a hardness level of 223 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 16 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.

Which water company supplies BN16?

BN16 Littlehampton is supplied by Southern Water. Southern Water serves the South East region.

Is the water in BN16 safe to drink?

Yes. Hard water at 223 ppm is safe to drink. Water hardness affects taste and can cause limescale, but it is not a health risk. In fact, hard water contains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.

How can I reduce water hardness in BN16?

For hard water at 223 ppm, a whole-house water softener is the most effective solution. You can also use a jug filter for drinking water, descaling products for appliances, and a shower filter for better skin and hair.

What does 223 ppm water hardness mean?

223 ppm means there are 223 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 15.6 Clark degrees, 12.5 German degrees, or 22.3 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.

What size water softener do I need in BN16?

For a typical 4-person home at 223 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 12 days. Larger households or higher daily use need a bigger unit. These figures are conservative estimates.

How much does it cost to run a water softener in BN16?

At 223 ppm, expect to use about 46 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £13–£22/year. Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

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