Water hardness

EC1M London

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

At 321 ppm, London sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Very Hard 321 ppm London Thames Water
Your reading
321
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 321 ppm in London (very hard water).

  • Heavy limescale requiring frequent descaling
  • Blocked showerheads and reduced water flow
  • Substantially higher energy bills from boiler scale
  • Dry, itchy skin and lifeless hair
  • White crusty deposits on taps and surfaces
  • Reduced lifespan of washing machines and dishwashers
Heat loss
12%
Heavy scaling
Softener salt
£18–32
per year
Worth it?
Yes
at 321 ppm
Suggested for very 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 London?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on EC1M's 321 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener recommended

Water is hard to very hard, so appliance, scale and soap savings typically pay back a softener within a few years.

Recommended size
24k
grain capacity, regenerates ~every 8.3 days
Salt running cost
£18–32
per year (~66 kg salt)
Limescale
12%
est. heater efficiency loss. Heavy scaling
Soap saving
High
Large saving: many homes cut soap, shampoo and detergent use by up to half.

Appliance impact at 321 ppm: significant: elements fur up, expect earlier failures. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 8 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Recommended

Products for London

Popular choices for households dealing with very 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.

View on Amazon

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 EC1M

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)321
Degrees Clark (°Clark)22.5
Degrees French (°fH)32.1
Degrees German (°dH)18
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)129

Supplier and area

Water supplier Thames Water
Region London
County Greater London
Hardness band Very Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Thames Water page
Official source
Thames Water Utilities Ltd water-hardness report

Read the hardness categories table to see where your supply falls; most of the region is hard to very hard at over 200 mg/l CaCO3.

FAQ

Common questions about EC1M

What is the water hardness in EC1M London?
The water in EC1M London has a hardness level of 321 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as very hard. This is 114 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies EC1M?
EC1M London is supplied by Thames Water. Thames Water serves the London region.
Is the water in EC1M safe to drink?
Yes. Very Hard water at 321 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 EC1M?
For very hard water at 321 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 321 ppm water hardness mean?
321 ppm means there are 321 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 22.5 Clark degrees, 18 German degrees, or 32.1 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in EC1M?
For a typical 4-person home at 321 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 8.3 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 EC1M?
At 321 ppm, expect to use about 66 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £18–£32/year. Water is hard to very hard, so appliance, scale and soap savings typically pay back a softener within a few years.

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