Water hardness

B5 Birmingham

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 168 ppm, Birmingham ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Moderately Hard 168 ppm West Midlands Severn Trent Water
Your reading
168
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 168 ppm in Birmingham (moderately hard water).

  • Noticeable limescale buildup in kettles and boilers
  • Soap may not lather as easily
  • Showerhead may need descaling periodically
  • Slight film on glassware after washing
Heat loss
4%
Light scaling
Softener salt
£10–17
per year
Worth it?
No
at 168 ppm
Suggested for moderately 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 Birmingham?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on B5's 168 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 15.9 days
Salt running cost
£10–17
per year (~34 kg salt)
Limescale
4%
est. heater efficiency loss. Light scaling
Soap saving
Low
Some saving: expect to use slightly less soap and detergent.

Appliance impact at 168 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 16 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for B5

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)168
Degrees Clark (°Clark)11.8
Degrees French (°fH)16.8
Degrees German (°dH)9.4
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)67

Supplier and area

Water supplier Severn Trent Water
Region West Midlands
County West Midlands
Hardness band Moderately 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 Birmingham

B4
Birmingham
167ppm
Moderately Hard
B6
Birmingham
169ppm
Moderately Hard
B7
Birmingham
170ppm
Moderately Hard
FAQ

Common questions about B5

What is the water hardness in B5 Birmingham?
The water in B5 Birmingham has a hardness level of 168 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as moderately hard. This is 39 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies B5?
B5 Birmingham is supplied by Severn Trent Water. Severn Trent Water serves the West Midlands region.
Is the water in B5 safe to drink?
Yes. Moderately Hard water at 168 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 B5?
At 168 ppm, the water in B5 is moderately hard and unlikely to cause significant issues. A jug filter can improve taste, but a water softener is generally not necessary.
What does 168 ppm water hardness mean?
168 ppm means there are 168 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 11.8 Clark degrees, 9.4 German degrees, or 16.8 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in B5?
For a typical 4-person home at 168 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 15.9 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 B5?
At 168 ppm, expect to use about 34 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £10–£17/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Your Birmingham water action plan

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Check another postcode

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