Water hardness

ST17 Stafford

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

At 198 ppm, Stafford sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 198 ppm West Midlands Severn Trent Water
Your reading
198
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 198 ppm in Stafford (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
4%
Light scaling
Softener salt
£11–19
per year
Worth it?
Yes
at 198 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 Stafford?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on ST17's 198 ppm reading, for a typical 4-person household.

Softener recommended

Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

Recommended size
24k
grain capacity, regenerates ~every 13.5 days
Salt running cost
£11–19
per year (~41 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 198 ppm: slight: minor descaling extends kettle/boiler life. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 14 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for ST17

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)198
Degrees Clark (°Clark)13.9
Degrees French (°fH)19.8
Degrees German (°dH)11.1
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)79

Supplier and area

Water supplier Severn Trent Water
Region West Midlands
County Staffordshire
Hardness band 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 Stafford

ST16
Stafford
197ppm
Hard
ST18
Stafford
199ppm
Hard
ST19
Stafford
200ppm
Hard
FAQ

Common questions about ST17

What is the water hardness in ST17 Stafford?
The water in ST17 Stafford has a hardness level of 198 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 9 ppm below the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies ST17?
ST17 Stafford is supplied by Severn Trent Water. Severn Trent Water serves the West Midlands region.
Is the water in ST17 safe to drink?
Yes. Hard water at 198 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 ST17?
For hard water at 198 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 198 ppm water hardness mean?
198 ppm means there are 198 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 13.9 Clark degrees, 11.1 German degrees, or 19.8 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in ST17?
For a typical 4-person home at 198 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 13.5 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 ST17?
At 198 ppm, expect to use about 41 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £11–£19/year. Hardness is moderate to hard, so a softener cuts scale and soap use and usually pays back over its lifetime.

Fix hard water in Stafford

Enter your email and we will send the limescale fixes that actually work at 198 ppm, plus what to skip.

Check another postcode

Compare hardness across areas before moving or buying a softener.