WaterIs Reading Water Hard or Soft?
Hard at 291 ppm • Berkshire, South East
The average water hardness in Reading is 291 ppm, classified as hard. Reading is served by Thames Water, covering 30 postcode districts across Berkshire in the South East region.
Hardness varies across the area — see the table below for a breakdown by postcode district.
Water Hardness by Postcode in Reading
| Postcode | Water Company | Hardness | PPM | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG31 | Thames Water | 327 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG30 | Thames Water | 326 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG9 | Thames Water | 314 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG8 | Thames Water | 313 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG7 | Thames Water | 312 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG6 | Thames Water | 311 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG5 | Thames Water | 310 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG4 | Thames Water | 309 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG2 | Thames Water | 307 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG1 | Thames Water | 306 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG29 | Thames Water | 302 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG28 | Thames Water | 301 ppm | Very Hard | |
| RG27 | Thames Water | 300 ppm | Hard | |
| RG26 | Thames Water | 299 ppm | Hard | |
| RG25 | Thames Water | 298 ppm | Hard | |
| RG24 | Thames Water | 297 ppm | Hard | |
| RG23 | Thames Water | 296 ppm | Hard | |
| RG22 | Thames Water | 295 ppm | Hard | |
| RG21 | Thames Water | 294 ppm | Hard | |
| RG20 | Thames Water | 293 ppm | Hard | |
| RG19 | Thames Water | 269 ppm | Hard | |
| RG18 | Thames Water | 268 ppm | Hard | |
| RG17 | Thames Water | 267 ppm | Hard | |
| RG14 | Thames Water | 264 ppm | Hard | |
| RG45 | Thames Water | 263 ppm | Hard | |
| RG12 | Thames Water | 262 ppm | Hard | |
| RG10 | Thames Water | 260 ppm | Hard | |
| RG42 | Thames Water | 260 ppm | Hard | |
| RG41 | Thames Water | 259 ppm | Hard | |
| RG40 | Thames Water | 258 ppm | Hard |
Water Companies Serving Reading
Water Hardness Guides
Recommended Products for Reading
Popular choices for households dealing with hard water in this area.
Water2Buy W2B200 Water Softener
From ~£400Best-value whole-house ion-exchange softener for UK homes. Eliminates limescale from pipes, boilers, and appliances. Digital metered regeneration — low salt use. 7-year warranty.
View on AmazonPhilips AWP1775 Shower Filter
From ~£30Quick win for skin and hair in hard water areas. Reduces chlorine and limescale — fits standard shower hoses in minutes, no tools needed. Cartridge lasts ~6 months.
View on AmazonBRITA Marella Water Filter Jug
From ~£20UK's best-selling filter jug. Reduces limescale, chlorine, and metals for better-tasting tap water. Quick first step alongside a softener.
View on AmazonGet Water Hardness Updates
Be notified when your water company reports changes to hardness levels.