Water hardness

DH7 Durham

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 150 ppm, Durham ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Moderately Hard 150 ppm North East Northumbrian Water
Your reading
150
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 150 ppm in Durham (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
£9–15
per year
Worth it?
No
at 150 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 Durham?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on DH7's 150 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 17.9 days
Salt running cost
£9–15
per year (~31 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 150 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 18 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for DH7

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)150
Degrees Clark (°Clark)10.5
Degrees French (°fH)15
Degrees German (°dH)8.4
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)60

Supplier and area

Water supplier Northumbrian Water
Region North East
County County Durham
Hardness band Moderately Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Northumbrian Water page
Official source
Northumbrian Water water-hardness report

This page explains local hardness and links to a postcode water quality checker so you can find your supply zone's level.

Nearby

Other areas near Durham

DH6
Durham
149ppm
Moderately Hard
DH8
Consett
50ppm
Soft
DH9
Stanley
51ppm
Soft
FAQ

Common questions about DH7

What is the water hardness in DH7 Durham?
The water in DH7 Durham has a hardness level of 150 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as moderately hard. This is 57 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies DH7?
DH7 Durham is supplied by Northumbrian Water. Northumbrian Water serves the North East region.
Is the water in DH7 safe to drink?
Yes. Moderately Hard water at 150 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 DH7?
At 150 ppm, the water in DH7 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 150 ppm water hardness mean?
150 ppm means there are 150 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 10.5 Clark degrees, 8.4 German degrees, or 15 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in DH7?
For a typical 4-person home at 150 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 17.9 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 DH7?
At 150 ppm, expect to use about 31 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £9–£15/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Your Durham water action plan

Enter your email for the short list of things worth doing at 150 ppm, and the upgrades you can safely ignore.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.