Water hardness

EX3 Exeter

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 77 ppm, Exeter ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Slightly Hard 77 ppm South West South West Water
Your reading
77
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 77 ppm in Exeter (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
£4–8
per year
Worth it?
No
at 77 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 Exeter?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on EX3's 77 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 34.8 days
Salt running cost
£4–8
per year (~16 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 77 ppm: negligible: appliances reach full expected life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 35 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for EX3

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)77
Degrees Clark (°Clark)5.4
Degrees French (°fH)7.7
Degrees German (°dH)4.3
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)31

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 Exeter

EX2
Exeter
76ppm
Slightly Hard
EX4
Exeter
78ppm
Slightly Hard
EX5
Exeter
79ppm
Slightly Hard
FAQ

Common questions about EX3

What is the water hardness in EX3 Exeter?
The water in EX3 Exeter has a hardness level of 77 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as slightly hard. This is 130 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies EX3?
EX3 Exeter is supplied by South West Water. South West Water serves the South West region.
Is the water in EX3 safe to drink?
Yes. Slightly Hard water at 77 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 EX3?
At 77 ppm, the water in EX3 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 77 ppm water hardness mean?
77 ppm means there are 77 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 5.4 Clark degrees, 4.3 German degrees, or 7.7 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in EX3?
For a typical 4-person home at 77 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 34.8 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 EX3?
At 77 ppm, expect to use about 16 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £4–£8/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Your Exeter water action plan

Enter your email for the short list of things worth doing at 77 ppm, and the upgrades you can safely ignore.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.