Water hardness

EX20 Okehampton

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 96 ppm, Okehampton ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Slightly Hard 96 ppm South West South West Water
Your reading
96
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 96 ppm in Okehampton (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
1%
Minimal scaling
Softener salt
£5–9
per year
Worth it?
No
at 96 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 Okehampton?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on EX20's 96 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 27.9 days
Salt running cost
£5–9
per year (~20 kg salt)
Limescale
1%
est. heater efficiency loss. Minimal scaling
Soap saving
Minimal
Water is already soft, so there is little detergent saving from softening.

Appliance impact at 96 ppm: negligible: appliances reach full expected life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 28 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for EX20

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)96
Degrees Clark (°Clark)6.7
Degrees French (°fH)9.6
Degrees German (°dH)5.4
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)38

Supplier and area

Water supplier South West Water
Region South West
County Devon
Hardness band Slightly Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit South West Water page
Official source
South West Water water-hardness report

Most of the region is soft water, except East Devon; use the postcode lookup on this page to find your address's specific water quality.

Nearby

Other areas near Okehampton

EX19
Winkleigh
72ppm
Slightly Hard
EX21
Beaworthy
97ppm
Slightly Hard
EX22
Holsworthy
98ppm
Slightly Hard
FAQ

Common questions about EX20

What is the water hardness in EX20 Okehampton?
The water in EX20 Okehampton has a hardness level of 96 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as slightly hard. This is 111 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies EX20?
EX20 Okehampton is supplied by South West Water. South West Water serves the South West region.
Is the water in EX20 safe to drink?
Yes. Slightly Hard water at 96 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 EX20?
At 96 ppm, the water in EX20 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 96 ppm water hardness mean?
96 ppm means there are 96 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 6.7 Clark degrees, 5.4 German degrees, or 9.6 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in EX20?
For a typical 4-person home at 96 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 27.9 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 EX20?
At 96 ppm, expect to use about 20 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £5–£9/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Your Okehampton water action plan

Enter your email for the short list of things worth doing at 96 ppm, and the upgrades you can safely ignore.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.