Water hardness

DL15 Crook

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 120 ppm, Crook ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Slightly Hard 120 ppm North East Northumbrian Water
Your reading
120
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 120 ppm in Crook (slightly hard water).

  • Minor limescale may appear in kettles over time
  • Soap lathers reasonably well
  • Appliances generally unaffected
  • Good balance of mineral taste
Heat loss
4%
Light scaling
Softener salt
£7–12
per year
Worth it?
No
at 120 ppm
Suggested for slightly hard water
Filter jug (optional)
Mainly a taste preference, limescale won't be a real issue here.
From £20
Maintenance habits
Routine descaling once or twice a year is plenty.
Free
Softening

Should you soften the water in Crook?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on DL15's 120 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener optional

Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Recommended size
24k
grain capacity, regenerates ~every 22.3 days
Salt running cost
£7–12
per year (~25 kg salt)
Limescale
4%
est. heater efficiency loss. Light scaling
Soap saving
Low
Some saving: expect to use slightly less soap and detergent.

Appliance impact at 120 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 22 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Test Your Water in Crook

At 120 ppm, your water is slightly 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.

View on Amazon
Water quality details

Hardness data for DL15

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)120
Degrees Clark (°Clark)8.4
Degrees French (°fH)12
Degrees German (°dH)6.7
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)48

Supplier and area

Water supplier Northumbrian Water
Region North East
County County Durham
Hardness band Slightly Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Northumbrian Water page
Official source
Northumbrian Water water-hardness report

This page explains local hardness and links to a postcode water quality checker so you can find your supply zone's level.

Nearby

Other areas near Crook

DL14
Bishop Auckland
119ppm
Slightly Hard
DL16
Spennymoor
121ppm
Moderately Hard
DL17
Ferryhill
122ppm
Moderately Hard
FAQ

Common questions about DL15

What is the water hardness in DL15 Crook?
The water in DL15 Crook has a hardness level of 120 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as slightly hard. This is 87 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies DL15?
DL15 Crook is supplied by Northumbrian Water. Northumbrian Water serves the North East region.
Is the water in DL15 safe to drink?
Yes. Slightly Hard water at 120 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 DL15?
At 120 ppm, the water in DL15 is slightly hard and unlikely to cause significant issues. A jug filter can improve taste, but a water softener is generally not necessary.
What does 120 ppm water hardness mean?
120 ppm means there are 120 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 8.4 Clark degrees, 6.7 German degrees, or 12 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in DL15?
For a typical 4-person home at 120 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 22.3 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 DL15?
At 120 ppm, expect to use about 25 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £7–£12/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Get DL15 Water Updates

We'll notify you when Northumbrian Water reports changes to water hardness in your area.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.