UK region

Water hardness in North East

Average 101 ppm across 122 postcode districts, classified as slightly hard.

  • Range 50 to 150 ppm
  • Counties 3
  • Suppliers Northumbrian Water
Regional average
101
ppm CaCO₃
Slightly Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+
101
Avg ppm
50
Min ppm
150
Max ppm
122
Postcodes

North East water hardness at a glance

  1. North East water is slightly hard, averaging 101 ppm across 122 postcode districts.
  2. That is 106 ppm below the UK average of 207 ppm.
  3. Districts range from 50 ppm to 150 ppm; the hardest county is Tyne And Wear (110 ppm) and the softest is Teesside (75 ppm).
  4. Suppliers: Northumbrian Water.
  5. Limescale builds slowly at this level, so a softener is not usually needed.

Get North East Water Updates

Be notified when water companies in North East report changes to hardness levels.

Water Hardness Across North East

The average water hardness in the North East region is 101 ppm, classified as slightly hard. Across 122 postcode districts, hardness ranges from 50 ppm to 150 ppm.

Is the water in North East hard or soft? It is slightly hard, with readings from 50 to 150 ppm. Northumbrian Water supplies most postcodes in North East; cross-check against Northumbrian Water's own water hardness data.

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

Hardness varies notably within North East: Tyne And Wear has the hardest water in the region at 110 ppm, while Teesside is the softest at 75 ppm. The region spans 5 towns and 122 postcode districts in total.

At 101 ppm, North East ranks as slightly hard water nationally. Compare it against the 50 softest water areas in the UK.

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

By county

Counties in North East

Sorted by hardness: see how your county compares.

County Hardness PPM Level Postcodes
Tyne And Wear
110
110 ppm Slightly Hard 67
County Durham
107
107 ppm Slightly Hard 26
Teesside
75
75 ppm Slightly Hard 29
Suppliers

Water Companies in North East

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

Northumbrian Water

101 ppm Slightly Hard

Hard Water Guides

Learn more about water hardness and how to manage it.

What Is Water Hardness? Hard Water Effects Solutions

Test Your Water in North East

At 101 ppm on average, your water is slightly hard. A home testing kit lets you verify the exact hardness for your postcode and check for other contaminants.

TESPERT 16-in-1 Water Testing Kit

Home water test strips that check hardness, pH, chlorine, lead, and 12 other parameters. Results in around 60 seconds. 125 strips per pack.

View on Amazon

Paid link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the current price on Amazon.

FAQ

Common questions about North East water

Is North East's water hard or soft?
North East is classified as slightly hard water, averaging 101 ppm across 122 postcode districts. Limescale build-up is minimal at this level, though individual postcodes vary.
Is tap water in North East 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 North East slightly hard?
Water hardness in North East 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 North East?
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 North East?
The average water hardness across North East is 101 ppm (parts per million), classified as slightly hard. It ranges from 50 ppm to 150 ppm across 122 postcode districts.
Get a free quote