Water hardness

SE11 London

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

At 286 ppm, London sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 286 ppm London Thames Water

Your reading

286

parts per million

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very hard

0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 286 ppm in London (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

£16–28

per year

Worth it?

Yes

at 286 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 London?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on SE11's 286 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 9.4 days

Salt running cost

£16–28

per year (~58 kg salt)

Limescale

est. heater efficiency loss. Moderate scaling

Soap saving

Moderate

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

Appliance impact at 286 ppm: noticeable: boiler/dishwasher life cut without descaling. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 9 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Recommended

Products for London

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.

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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 SE11

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)	286
Degrees Clark (°Clark)	20
Degrees French (°fH)	28.6
Degrees German (°dH)	16
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)	115

Supplier and area

Water supplier Thames Water

Region London

County Greater London

Hardness band 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.

Nearby

Other areas near London

FAQ

Common questions about SE11

What is the water hardness in SE11 London?

The water in SE11 London has a hardness level of 286 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 79 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.

Which water company supplies SE11?

SE11 London is supplied by Thames Water. Thames Water serves the London region.

Is the water in SE11 safe to drink?

Yes. Hard water at 286 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 SE11?

For hard water at 286 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 286 ppm water hardness mean?

286 ppm means there are 286 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 20 Clark degrees, 16 German degrees, or 28.6 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.

What size water softener do I need in SE11?

For a typical 4-person home at 286 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 9.4 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 SE11?

At 286 ppm, expect to use about 58 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £16–£28/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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