Water hardness

ST16 Stafford

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

At 197 ppm, Stafford sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 197 ppm West Midlands Severn Trent Water

Your reading

197

parts per million

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very hard

0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 197 ppm in Stafford (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

Light scaling

Softener salt

£11–19

per year

Worth it?

Yes

at 197 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 Stafford?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on ST16's 197 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener recommended

Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

Recommended size

24k

grain capacity, regenerates ~every 13.6 days

Salt running cost

£11–19

per year (~40 kg salt)

Limescale

est. heater efficiency loss. Light scaling

Soap saving

Low

Some saving: expect to use slightly less soap and detergent.

Appliance impact at 197 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 14 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Recommended

Products for Stafford

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 ST16

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)	197
Degrees Clark (°Clark)	13.8
Degrees French (°fH)	19.7
Degrees German (°dH)	11
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)	79

Supplier and area

Water supplier Severn Trent Water

Region West Midlands

County Staffordshire

Hardness band Hard

UK average 207 ppm

Visit Severn Trent Water page

Official source

Severn Trent Water water-hardness report

Enter your postcode and pick a timeframe to see your area's measured water quality including hardness, with a downloadable PDF report.

Nearby

Other areas near Stafford

FAQ

Common questions about ST16

What is the water hardness in ST16 Stafford?

The water in ST16 Stafford has a hardness level of 197 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 10 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.

Which water company supplies ST16?

ST16 Stafford is supplied by Severn Trent Water. Severn Trent Water serves the West Midlands region.

Is the water in ST16 safe to drink?

Yes. Hard water at 197 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 ST16?

For hard water at 197 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 197 ppm water hardness mean?

197 ppm means there are 197 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 13.8 Clark degrees, 11 German degrees, or 19.7 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.

What size water softener do I need in ST16?

For a typical 4-person home at 197 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 13.6 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 ST16?

At 197 ppm, expect to use about 40 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £11–£19/year. Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

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