Water hardness

PO16 Fareham

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

At 258 ppm, Fareham sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 258 ppm South East Portsmouth Water

Your reading

258

parts per million

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very hard

0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 258 ppm in Fareham (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 258 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 Fareham?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on PO16's 258 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 10.4 days

Salt running cost

£15–25

per year (~53 kg salt)

Limescale

est. heater efficiency loss. Moderate scaling

Soap saving

Moderate

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

Appliance impact at 258 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 Fareham

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 PO16

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)	258
Degrees Clark (°Clark)	18.1
Degrees French (°fH)	25.8
Degrees German (°dH)	14.5
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)	103

Supplier and area

Water supplier Portsmouth Water

Region South East

County Hampshire

Hardness band Hard

UK average 207 ppm

Visit Portsmouth Water page

Official source

Portsmouth Water water-hardness report

Find your supply zone on the map, then download the matching PDF to read your average water hardness and quality results.

Nearby

Other areas near Fareham

FAQ

Common questions about PO16

What is the water hardness in PO16 Fareham?

The water in PO16 Fareham has a hardness level of 258 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 51 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.

Which water company supplies PO16?

PO16 Fareham is supplied by Portsmouth Water. Portsmouth Water serves the South East region.

Is the water in PO16 safe to drink?

Yes. Hard water at 258 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 PO16?

For hard water at 258 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 258 ppm water hardness mean?

258 ppm means there are 258 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 18.1 Clark degrees, 14.5 German degrees, or 25.8 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.

What size water softener do I need in PO16?

For a typical 4-person home at 258 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 10.4 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 PO16?

At 258 ppm, expect to use about 53 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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