Kent & Sussex · Water company

South East Water Hardness

Average 297 ppm across 17 postcodes served.

  • Range 292–301 ppm
  • Region Kent & Sussex
  • Postcodes 17
Company average
297
ppm CaCO₃
Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+
297
Avg ppm
292
Min ppm
301
Max ppm
17
Postcodes

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South East Water Water Hardness Summary

South East Water water is hard, averaging 297 ppm as calcium carbonate, ranging from 292 to 301 ppm across 17 postcode districts in Kent & Sussex.

Average hardness297 ppm (Hard)
Hardness range292 to 301 ppm
ClassificationHard
Districts served17
RegionKent & Sussex

About South East Water

South East Water supplies drinking water to 2.2 million customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. Chalk and greensand aquifers produce hard water throughout the region.

At 297 ppm on average, South East Water ranks as hard water. See how it compares across the UK in our 50 hardest water areas ranking.

Worth reading: our water softener guide compares the options for South East Water customers, and our limescale removal guide has quick fixes for kettles, taps, and boilers.

Cross-check this against South East Water's own data: South East Water water hardness report. Use the hardness checker to find your water hardness level so you can set the correct settings on your dishwasher, coffee maker, and washing machine.

Comparison

South East Water vs Other UK Water Companies

Average hardness across the 15 largest UK water suppliers, hardest first. Your supplier is highlighted.

RankWater companyAvg ppmClassificationDistricts
1 Anglian Water 321 ppm Very Hard 261
2 Thames Water 302 ppm Very Hard 412
3 South East Water 297 ppm Hard 17
4 Affinity Water 268 ppm Hard 32
5 Southern Water 263 ppm Hard 131
6 Portsmouth Water 261 ppm Hard 34
7 SES Water 239 ppm Hard 7
8 Wessex Water 231 ppm Hard 123
9 Severn Trent Water 222 ppm Hard 345
10 Yorkshire Water 215 ppm Hard 217
11 Northumbrian Water 101 ppm Slightly Hard 122
12 South West Water 80 ppm Slightly Hard 129
13 United Utilities 77 ppm Slightly Hard 242
14 Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) 68 ppm Slightly Hard 214
15 Scottish Water 54 ppm Soft 3
Distribution

Hardness Breakdown

0
Soft
(0%)
0
Slightly Hard
(0%)
0
Moderate
(0%)
16
Hard
(94%)
1
Very Hard
(6%)
All areas

Areas Served by South East Water

Every postcode district, sorted by hardness.

Postcode Town Hardness PPM Level
CR9 Croydon
301
301 ppm Very Hard
BR8 Swanley
300
300 ppm Hard
CR8 Purley
300
300 ppm Hard
BR7 Chislehurst
299
299 ppm Hard
CR7 Thornton Heath
299
299 ppm Hard
BR6 Orpington
298
298 ppm Hard
CR6 Warlingham
298
298 ppm Hard
BR5 Orpington
297
297 ppm Hard
CR5 Coulsdon
297
297 ppm Hard
BR4 West Wickham
296
296 ppm Hard
CR4 Mitcham
296
296 ppm Hard
BR3 Beckenham
295
295 ppm Hard
CR3 Caterham
295
295 ppm Hard
BR2 Bromley
294
294 ppm Hard
CR2 South Croydon
294
294 ppm Hard
BR1 Bromley
293
293 ppm Hard
CR0 Croydon
292
292 ppm Hard
Recommended

Products for South East Water Customers

Popular choices for households on 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

A quick, affordable upgrade. Reduces chlorine and limescale at the showerhead, fits any standard UK shower hose in minutes. Protects skin and hair from hard water damage.

View on Amazon
FAQ

Common questions about South East Water water hardness

How do I check South East Water hardness by postcode?
Enter your postcode in the checker on the WaterHard.uk homepage, or find your district in the table above. South East Water serves 17 postcode districts across Kent & Sussex, ranging from 292 to 301 ppm.
Is there a South East Water hardness checker or map?
South East Water publishes water quality data by postcode, but it can be scattered across PDF reports. WaterHard.uk compiles it into the searchable table above so you can find your district's reading in one place.
How hard is South East Water water in my area?
It depends on your exact postcode. South East Water supplies range from 292 ppm to 301 ppm, averaging 297 ppm (hard) across 17 postcode districts in Kent & Sussex. Use the table above to find your specific district.
Do I need a water softener with South East Water?
At 297 ppm (hard), many households on South East Water notice limescale in kettles and showerheads within weeks. A shower filter is the cheapest first step; a whole-house softener gives the most complete protection. See our water softener guide for a full comparison.
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