Water hardness

GL17 Mitcheldean

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

At 256 ppm, Mitcheldean sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 256 ppm South West Wessex Water

Your reading

256

parts per million

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very hard

0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 256 ppm in Mitcheldean (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

£15–25

per year

Worth it?

Yes

at 256 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 Mitcheldean?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on GL17's 256 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 10.5 days

Salt running cost

£15–25

per year (~52 kg salt)

Limescale

est. heater efficiency loss. Moderate scaling

Soap saving

Moderate

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

Appliance impact at 256 ppm: noticeable: boiler/dishwasher life cut without descaling. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 10 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Recommended

Products for Mitcheldean

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.

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 GL17

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)	256
Degrees Clark (°Clark)	17.9
Degrees French (°fH)	25.6
Degrees German (°dH)	14.3
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)	103

Supplier and area

Water supplier Wessex Water

Region South West

County Gloucestershire

Hardness band Hard

UK average 207 ppm

Visit Wessex Water page

Official source

Wessex Water water-hardness report

Read the hardness and limescale guidance here, then use the postcode checker to see your local hardness value.

Nearby

Other areas near Mitcheldean

FAQ

Common questions about GL17

What is the water hardness in GL17 Mitcheldean?

The water in GL17 Mitcheldean has a hardness level of 256 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 49 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.

Which water company supplies GL17?

GL17 Mitcheldean is supplied by Wessex Water. Wessex Water serves the South West region.

Is the water in GL17 safe to drink?

Yes. Hard water at 256 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 GL17?

For hard water at 256 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 256 ppm water hardness mean?

256 ppm means there are 256 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 17.9 Clark degrees, 14.3 German degrees, or 25.6 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.

What size water softener do I need in GL17?

For a typical 4-person home at 256 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 10.5 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 GL17?

At 256 ppm, expect to use about 52 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £15–£25/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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