Dorset · South West

Is Bournemouth water hard or soft?

Hard at 228 ppm · 26 postcode districts

  • Supplier Severn Trent Water
  • County Dorset
  • Postcodes 26
Area average
228
ppm CaCO₃
Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

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The average water hardness in Bournemouth is 228 ppm, classified as hard. Bournemouth is served by Severn Trent Water, covering 26 postcode districts across Dorset in the South West region.

Hardness varies across the area — see the table below for a breakdown by postcode district. BH19 has the hardest water at 286 ppm, while BH20 is the softest at 159 ppm.

By postcode

Water Hardness by Postcode in Bournemouth

Sorted by hardness — tap a postcode for full details.

Postcode Water Company Hardness PPM Level
BH19 Severn Trent Water
286
286 ppm Hard
BH18 Severn Trent Water
285
285 ppm Hard
BH17 Severn Trent Water
284
284 ppm Hard
BH16 Severn Trent Water
283
283 ppm Hard
BH15 Severn Trent Water
282
282 ppm Hard
BH14 Severn Trent Water
281
281 ppm Hard
BH13 Severn Trent Water
280
280 ppm Hard
BH12 Severn Trent Water
279
279 ppm Hard
BH11 Severn Trent Water
278
278 ppm Hard
BH10 Severn Trent Water
277
277 ppm Hard
BH9 Severn Trent Water
220
220 ppm Hard
BH8 Severn Trent Water
219
219 ppm Hard
BH7 Severn Trent Water
218
218 ppm Hard
BH6 Severn Trent Water
217
217 ppm Hard
BH5 Severn Trent Water
216
216 ppm Hard
BH4 Severn Trent Water
215
215 ppm Hard
BH3 Severn Trent Water
214
214 ppm Hard
BH2 Severn Trent Water
213
213 ppm Hard
BH1 Severn Trent Water
212
212 ppm Hard
BH31 Severn Trent Water
193
193 ppm Hard
BH25 Severn Trent Water
164
164 ppm Moderately Hard
BH24 Severn Trent Water
163
163 ppm Moderately Hard
BH23 Severn Trent Water
162
162 ppm Moderately Hard
BH22 Severn Trent Water
161
161 ppm Moderately Hard
BH21 Severn Trent Water
160
160 ppm Moderately Hard
BH20 Severn Trent Water
159
159 ppm Moderately Hard
Suppliers

Water Companies Serving Bournemouth

Tap for full coverage area and hardness data.

Severn Trent Water

222 ppm Hard

Each water company publishes its own hardness data, so you can cross-check the Bournemouth figures here against the published hardness data from Severn Trent Water.

Water Hardness Guides

Learn more about water hardness and how to manage it.

What Is Water Hardness? Effects Solutions Water Softeners Limescale Removal
Recommended

Products for Bournemouth

Popular choices for households dealing with hard water.

Splendid Twin Tank Water Softener

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.

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Philips Shower Filter

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

UK's best-selling filter jug. Reduces limescale, chlorine, and metals for better-tasting tap water. Quick first step alongside a softener.

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FAQ

Common questions about Bournemouth water

Is Bournemouth water hard or soft?
Bournemouth is classified as hard, averaging 228 ppm across 26 postcode districts. Expect visible limescale on kettles and taps within weeks at this level.
Which postcode in Bournemouth has the hardest water?
BH19 has the hardest water in Bournemouth at 286 ppm, while BH20 is the softest at 159 ppm. See the full table above for every district.
Which water company supplies Bournemouth?
Bournemouth is supplied by Severn Trent Water, covering 26 postcode districts across Dorset.
Is tap water in Bournemouth safe to drink?
Yes. All tap water in Bournemouth meets UK drinking water standards. Hardness affects taste and limescale buildup but not safety.
Do I need a water softener in Bournemouth?
At 228 ppm, many households in Bournemouth 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.
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