Water hardness

OX18 Carterton

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

At 254 ppm, Carterton sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 254 ppm South East Thames Water
Your reading
254
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 254 ppm in Carterton (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
£15–25
per year
Worth it?
Yes
at 254 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 Carterton?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on OX18's 254 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener recommended

Water is hard to very hard, so appliance, scale and soap savings typically pay back a softener within a few years.

Recommended size
24k
grain capacity, regenerates ~every 10.5 days
Salt running cost
£15–25
per year (~52 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 254 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 OX18

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)254
Degrees Clark (°Clark)17.8
Degrees French (°fH)25.4
Degrees German (°dH)14.2
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)102

Supplier and area

Water supplier Thames Water
Region South East
County Oxfordshire
Hardness band Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Thames Water page
Official source
Thames Water Utilities Ltd water-hardness report

Read the hardness categories table to see where your supply falls; most of the region is hard to very hard at over 200 mg/l CaCO3.

Nearby

Other areas near Carterton

OX17
Banbury
253ppm
Hard
OX20
Woodstock
279ppm
Hard
FAQ

Common questions about OX18

What is the water hardness in OX18 Carterton?
The water in OX18 Carterton has a hardness level of 254 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 47 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies OX18?
OX18 Carterton is supplied by Thames Water. Thames Water serves the South East region.
Is the water in OX18 safe to drink?
Yes. Hard water at 254 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 OX18?
For hard water at 254 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 254 ppm water hardness mean?
254 ppm means there are 254 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 17.8 Clark degrees, 14.2 German degrees, or 25.4 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in OX18?
For a typical 4-person home at 254 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 10.5 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 OX18?
At 254 ppm, expect to use about 52 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £15–£25/year. Water is hard to very hard, so appliance, scale and soap savings typically pay back a softener within a few years.

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