Water hardness

HU16 Cottingham

Harder than the UK average. Expect visible limescale on kettles and taps.

At 240 ppm, Cottingham sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 240 ppm Yorkshire Yorkshire Water
Your reading
240
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 240 ppm in Cottingham (hard water).

  • Significant limescale buildup in kettles, pipes and boilers
  • Soap scum on shower screens and taps
  • Higher energy bills from scale in heating elements
  • Dry skin and dull hair after washing
  • White residue on dishes and glassware
Heat loss
8%
Moderate scaling
Softener salt
£14–23
per year
Worth it?
Yes
at 240 ppm
Suggested for hard water
Whole-house water softener
Best long-term protection for boilers and pipes.
From £600 installed
Shower head filter
A simple first step for limescale on tiles and glass.
From £25
Filter jug or under-sink
Improves taste and reduces kettle scale.
From £20
Softening

Should you soften the water in Cottingham?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on HU16's 240 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener recommended

Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

Recommended size
24k
grain capacity, regenerates ~every 11.2 days
Salt running cost
£14–23
per year (~49 kg salt)
Limescale
8%
est. heater efficiency loss. Moderate scaling
Soap saving
Moderate
Noticeable saving: soaps lather more easily, cutting detergent use.

Appliance impact at 240 ppm: noticeable: boiler/dishwasher life cut without descaling. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 11 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for HU16

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)240
Degrees Clark (°Clark)16.8
Degrees French (°fH)24
Degrees German (°dH)13.4
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)96

Supplier and area

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

Enter your postcode in the search tool to get the calcium and magnesium hardness level for your specific area.

Nearby

Other areas near Cottingham

HU15
Brough
239ppm
Hard
HU17
Beverley
241ppm
Hard
HU18
Hornsea
242ppm
Hard
FAQ

Common questions about HU16

What is the water hardness in HU16 Cottingham?
The water in HU16 Cottingham has a hardness level of 240 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 33 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies HU16?
HU16 Cottingham is supplied by Yorkshire Water. Yorkshire Water serves the Yorkshire region.
Is the water in HU16 safe to drink?
Yes. Hard water at 240 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 HU16?
For hard water at 240 ppm, a whole-house water softener is the most effective solution. You can also use a jug filter for drinking water, descaling products for appliances, and a shower filter for better skin and hair.
What does 240 ppm water hardness mean?
240 ppm means there are 240 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 16.8 Clark degrees, 13.4 German degrees, or 24 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in HU16?
For a typical 4-person home at 240 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 11.2 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 HU16?
At 240 ppm, expect to use about 49 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £14–£23/year. Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

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