Water hardness

EX13 Axminster

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 66 ppm, Axminster ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Slightly Hard 66 ppm South West South West Water
Your reading
66
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 66 ppm in Axminster (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
1%
Minimal scaling
Softener salt
£4–6
per year
Worth it?
No
at 66 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 Axminster?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on EX13's 66 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 40.6 days
Salt running cost
£4–6
per year (~13 kg salt)
Limescale
1%
est. heater efficiency loss. Minimal scaling
Soap saving
Minimal
Water is already soft, so there is little detergent saving from softening.

Appliance impact at 66 ppm: negligible: appliances reach full expected life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 41 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Test Your Water in Axminster

At 66 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 EX13

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)66
Degrees Clark (°Clark)4.6
Degrees French (°fH)6.6
Degrees German (°dH)3.7
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)26

Supplier and area

Water supplier South West Water
Region South West
County Devon
Hardness band Slightly Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit South West Water page
Official source
South West Water water-hardness report

Most of the region is soft water, except East Devon; use the postcode lookup on this page to find your address's specific water quality.

Nearby

Other areas near Axminster

EX12
Seaton
65ppm
Slightly Hard
EX14
Honiton
67ppm
Slightly Hard
EX15
Cullompton
68ppm
Slightly Hard
FAQ

Common questions about EX13

What is the water hardness in EX13 Axminster?
The water in EX13 Axminster has a hardness level of 66 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as slightly hard. This is 141 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies EX13?
EX13 Axminster is supplied by South West Water. South West Water serves the South West region.
Is the water in EX13 safe to drink?
Yes. Slightly Hard water at 66 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 EX13?
At 66 ppm, the water in EX13 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 66 ppm water hardness mean?
66 ppm means there are 66 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 4.6 Clark degrees, 3.7 German degrees, or 6.6 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in EX13?
For a typical 4-person home at 66 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 40.6 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 EX13?
At 66 ppm, expect to use about 13 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £4–£6/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

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Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.