Water hardness

TQ4 Paignton

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 69 ppm, Paignton ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Slightly Hard 69 ppm South West South West Water
Your reading
69
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 69 ppm in Paignton (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
£4–7
per year
Worth it?
No
at 69 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 Paignton?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on TQ4's 69 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 38.8 days
Salt running cost
£4–7
per year (~14 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 69 ppm: negligible: appliances reach full expected life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 39 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Test Your Water in Paignton

At 69 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 TQ4

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)69
Degrees Clark (°Clark)4.8
Degrees French (°fH)6.9
Degrees German (°dH)3.9
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)28

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 Paignton

TQ3
Paignton
68ppm
Slightly Hard
TQ5
Brixham
70ppm
Slightly Hard
TQ6
Dartmouth
71ppm
Slightly Hard
FAQ

Common questions about TQ4

What is the water hardness in TQ4 Paignton?
The water in TQ4 Paignton has a hardness level of 69 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as slightly hard. This is 138 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies TQ4?
TQ4 Paignton is supplied by South West Water. South West Water serves the South West region.
Is the water in TQ4 safe to drink?
Yes. Slightly Hard water at 69 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 TQ4?
At 69 ppm, the water in TQ4 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 69 ppm water hardness mean?
69 ppm means there are 69 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 4.8 Clark degrees, 3.9 German degrees, or 6.9 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in TQ4?
For a typical 4-person home at 69 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 38.8 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 TQ4?
At 69 ppm, expect to use about 14 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £4–£7/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Get TQ4 Water Updates

We'll notify you when South West Water reports changes to water hardness in your area.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.