UK region

Water hardness in West Midlands

Average 215 ppm across 203 postcode districts, classified as hard.

  • Range 53 to 297 ppm
  • Counties 5
  • Suppliers Severn Trent Water, Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)
Regional average
215
ppm CaCO₃
Hard
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+
215
Avg ppm
53
Min ppm
297
Max ppm
203
Postcodes

West Midlands water hardness at a glance

  1. West Midlands water is hard, averaging 215 ppm across 203 postcode districts.
  2. That is 8 ppm above the UK average of 207 ppm.
  3. Districts range from 53 ppm to 297 ppm; the hardest county is Shropshire (249 ppm) and the softest is Herefordshire (57 ppm).
  4. Suppliers: Severn Trent Water, Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru).
  5. Expect limescale on kettles, taps and showerheads; see the water softener guide.

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Water Hardness Across West Midlands

The average water hardness in the West Midlands region is 215 ppm, classified as hard. Across 203 postcode districts, hardness ranges from 53 ppm to 297 ppm.

Is the water in West Midlands hard or soft? It is hard, with readings from 53 to 297 ppm. Severn Trent Water supplies most postcodes in West Midlands; cross-check against Severn Trent Water's own water hardness data.

The region is served by Severn Trent Water, Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru). Water hardness varies by county; see the breakdown below or check your specific postcode.

Hardness varies notably within West Midlands: Shropshire has the hardest water in the region at 249 ppm, while Herefordshire is the softest at 57 ppm. The region spans 9 towns and 203 postcode districts in total.

At 215 ppm, West Midlands ranks as 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 West Midlands residents, and our limescale removal guide has quick fixes for kettles and taps.

By county

Counties in West Midlands

Sorted by hardness: see how your county compares.

County Hardness PPM Level Postcodes
Shropshire
249
249 ppm Hard 13
Staffordshire
222
222 ppm Hard 21
West Midlands
222
222 ppm Hard 145
Worcestershire
207
207 ppm Hard 15
Herefordshire
57
57 ppm Soft 9
Suppliers

Water Companies in West Midlands

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

Severn Trent Water

222 ppm Hard

Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)

68 ppm Slightly 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 West Midlands

Top picks for households in 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 West Midlands water

Is West Midlands's water hard or soft?
West Midlands is classified as hard water, averaging 215 ppm across 203 postcode districts. Expect visible limescale on kettles and taps within weeks at this level.
Is tap water in West Midlands 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 West Midlands hard?
Water hardness in West Midlands 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 West Midlands?
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 West Midlands?
The average water hardness across West Midlands is 215 ppm (parts per million), classified as hard. It ranges from 53 ppm to 297 ppm across 203 postcode districts.
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