Water hardness

CF36 Porthcawl

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 106 ppm, Porthcawl ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Slightly Hard 106 ppm Wales Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)
Your reading
106
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 106 ppm in Porthcawl (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
4%
Light scaling
Softener salt
£6–10
per year
Worth it?
No
at 106 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 Porthcawl?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on CF36's 106 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 25.3 days
Salt running cost
£6–10
per year (~22 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 106 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 25 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for CF36

Sourced from Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)'s published water-quality reports and public records.

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)106
Degrees Clark (°Clark)7.4
Degrees French (°fH)10.6
Degrees German (°dH)5.9
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)43

Supplier and area

Water supplier Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)
Region Wales
County Cardiff
Hardness band Slightly Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) page
Official source
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water water-hardness report

Read the hardness explanation here, then enter your postcode on the linked drinking water quality checker to see your area's calcium and magnesium levels.

Nearby

Other areas near Porthcawl

CF35
Bridgend
105ppm
Slightly Hard
CF37
Pontypridd
107ppm
Slightly Hard
CF38
Pontypridd
108ppm
Slightly Hard
FAQ

Common questions about CF36

What is the water hardness in CF36 Porthcawl?
The water in CF36 Porthcawl has a hardness level of 106 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as slightly hard. This is 101 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies CF36?
CF36 Porthcawl is supplied by Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru). Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) serves the Wales region.
Is the water in CF36 safe to drink?
Yes. Slightly Hard water at 106 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 CF36?
At 106 ppm, the water in CF36 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 106 ppm water hardness mean?
106 ppm means there are 106 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 7.4 Clark degrees, 5.9 German degrees, or 10.6 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in CF36?
For a typical 4-person home at 106 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 25.3 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 CF36?
At 106 ppm, expect to use about 22 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £6–£10/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Your Porthcawl water action plan

Enter your email for the short list of things worth doing at 106 ppm, and the upgrades you can safely ignore.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.