UK region

Water hardness in East Of England

Average 326 ppm across 203 postcode districts, classified as very hard.

  • Range 260 to 394 ppm
  • Counties 6
  • Suppliers Anglian Water
Regional average
326
ppm CaCO₃
Very Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+
326
Avg ppm
260
Min ppm
394
Max ppm
203
Postcodes

East Of England water hardness at a glance

  1. East Of England water is very hard, averaging 326 ppm across 203 postcode districts.
  2. That is 119 ppm above the UK average of 207 ppm.
  3. Districts range from 260 ppm to 394 ppm; the hardest county is Suffolk (352 ppm) and the softest is Hertfordshire (303 ppm).
  4. Suppliers: Anglian Water.
  5. Expect limescale on kettles, taps and showerheads; see the water softener guide.

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Water Hardness Across East Of England

The average water hardness in the East Of England region is 326 ppm, classified as very hard. Across 203 postcode districts, hardness ranges from 260 ppm to 394 ppm.

Is the water in East Of England hard or soft? It is very hard, with readings from 260 to 394 ppm. Anglian Water supplies most postcodes in East Of England; cross-check against Anglian Water's own water hardness data.

The region is served by Anglian Water. Water hardness varies by county; see the breakdown below or check your specific postcode.

Hardness varies notably within East Of England: Suffolk has the hardest water in the region at 352 ppm, while Hertfordshire is the softest at 303 ppm. The region spans 9 towns and 203 postcode districts in total.

At 326 ppm, East Of England ranks as very hard water nationally. Compare it against the 50 hardest water areas in the UK.

Worth reading: our water softener guide covers the best options for East Of England residents, and our limescale removal guide has quick fixes for kettles and taps.

By county

Counties in East Of England

Sorted by hardness: see how your county compares.

County Hardness PPM Level Postcodes
Suffolk
352
352 ppm Very Hard 33
Cambridgeshire
322
322 ppm Very Hard 51
Essex
317
317 ppm Very Hard 58
Norfolk
310
310 ppm Very Hard 35
Bedfordshire
309
309 ppm Very Hard 7
Hertfordshire
303
303 ppm Very Hard 53
Suppliers

Water Companies in East Of England

Tap on a company for full coverage area and hardness data.

Anglian Water

321 ppm Very Hard

Hard Water Guides

Learn more about water hardness and how to manage it.

What Is Water Hardness? Hard Water Effects Solutions
Recommended

Products for East Of England

Top picks for households in very hard water areas.

Splendid Twin Tank Water Softener

Twin-tank electric softener sized for 1 to 7 bedroom homes. Removes limescale from pipes, boilers, and appliances and delivers continuous soft water, with metered regeneration to keep salt use low.

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Philips Shower Filter

Instant improvement for skin and hair. Reduces chlorine and limescale at the showerhead, no plumbing needed. A good first step before committing to a full softener.

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FAQ

Common questions about East Of England water

Is East Of England's water hard or soft?
East Of England is classified as very hard water, averaging 326 ppm across 203 postcode districts. Expect visible limescale on kettles and taps within weeks at this level.
Is tap water in East Of England safe to drink?
Hardness is not a safety issue: the World Health Organization sets no health-based limit for water hardness, so hard and soft water are both fine to drink. Drinking water quality is regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate in England and Wales and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator in Scotland, and your water company publishes test results for your area.
Why is water in East Of England very hard?
Water hardness in East Of England depends on the geology: chalk and limestone aquifers dissolve calcium and magnesium into the supply, making it harder. Areas with sandstone or granite tend to be softer.
Does hard water affect boilers in East Of England?
Over time, limescale acts as an insulator in heat exchangers, reducing efficiency by a few percentage points each year if untreated. A water softener can help protect your boiler.
What's the average water hardness in East Of England?
The average water hardness across East Of England is 326 ppm (parts per million), classified as very hard. It ranges from 260 ppm to 394 ppm across 203 postcode districts.
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