Water hardness

LE15 Oakham

Near or below the UK average. Limescale builds slowly.

At 176 ppm, Oakham ranks near the UK's softest water areas — compare it against the hardest areas.

Moderately Hard 176 ppm East Midlands Severn Trent Water
Your reading
176
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 176 ppm in Oakham (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
£10–17
per year
Worth it?
No
at 176 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 Oakham?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on LE15's 176 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 15.2 days
Salt running cost
£10–17
per year (~36 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 176 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 15 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for LE15

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)176
Degrees Clark (°Clark)12.3
Degrees French (°fH)17.6
Degrees German (°dH)9.9
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)71

Supplier and area

Water supplier Severn Trent Water
Region East Midlands
County Leicestershire
Hardness band Moderately Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Severn Trent Water page
Official source
Severn Trent Water water-hardness report

Enter your postcode and pick a timeframe to see your area's measured water quality including hardness, with a downloadable PDF report.

Nearby

Other areas near Oakham

LE14
Melton Mowbray
175ppm
Moderately Hard
LE16
Market Harborough
177ppm
Moderately Hard
LE17
Lutterworth
178ppm
Moderately Hard
FAQ

Common questions about LE15

What is the water hardness in LE15 Oakham?
The water in LE15 Oakham has a hardness level of 176 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as moderately hard. This is 31 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies LE15?
LE15 Oakham is supplied by Severn Trent Water. Severn Trent Water serves the East Midlands region.
Is the water in LE15 safe to drink?
Yes. Moderately Hard water at 176 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 LE15?
At 176 ppm, the water in LE15 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 176 ppm water hardness mean?
176 ppm means there are 176 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 12.3 Clark degrees, 9.9 German degrees, or 17.6 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in LE15?
For a typical 4-person home at 176 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 15.2 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 LE15?
At 176 ppm, expect to use about 36 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £10–£17/year. Water is soft to moderate, so limescale and soap costs are low and a softener rarely pays back.

Your Oakham water action plan

Enter your email for the short list of things worth doing at 176 ppm, and the upgrades you can safely ignore.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.