Water hardness

TN38 St Leonards On Sea

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

At 273 ppm, St Leonards On Sea sits among the UK's hardest water areas — compare it against the softest areas.

Hard 273 ppm South East Southern Water
Your reading
273
parts per million
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very hard
0100200300400+

What this means for your home

Based on 273 ppm in St Leonards On Sea (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
£16–27
per year
Worth it?
Yes
at 273 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 St Leonards On Sea?

A verdict and running-cost estimate based on TN38's 273 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 9.8 days
Salt running cost
£16–27
per year (~56 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 273 ppm: noticeable: boiler/dishwasher life cut without descaling. Sized for a 4-person home; regenerates roughly every 10 days (estimate). Figures are conservative estimates and vary with household size and usage.

Water quality details

Hardness data for TN38

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

Hardness measurements

Parts per million (ppm CaCO₃)273
Degrees Clark (°Clark)19.1
Degrees French (°fH)27.3
Degrees German (°dH)15.3
Calcium (mg/L Ca²⁺)109

Supplier and area

Water supplier Southern Water
Region South East
County Kent
Hardness band Hard
UK average 207 ppm
Visit Southern Water page
Official source
Southern Water water-hardness report

Enter your postcode in the hard water checker to get your hardness band and a full water quality report in mg/l, Clarke, French or German degrees.

Nearby

Other areas near St Leonards On Sea

TN37
St Leonards On Sea
272ppm
Hard
TN39
Bexhill On Sea
274ppm
Hard
TN40
Bexhill On Sea
298ppm
Hard
FAQ

Common questions about TN38

What is the water hardness in TN38 St Leonards On Sea?
The water in TN38 St Leonards On Sea has a hardness level of 273 ppm (parts per million) calcium carbonate, classified as hard. This is 66 ppm above the UK national average of 207 ppm.
Which water company supplies TN38?
TN38 St Leonards On Sea is supplied by Southern Water. Southern Water serves the South East region.
Is the water in TN38 safe to drink?
Yes. Hard water at 273 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 TN38?
For hard water at 273 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 273 ppm water hardness mean?
273 ppm means there are 273 parts per million of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water. This is equivalent to 19.1 Clark degrees, 15.3 German degrees, or 27.3 French degrees. Water above 180 ppm is generally considered hard.
What size water softener do I need in TN38?
For a typical 4-person home at 273 ppm, a 24,000 grain softener is a sensible size. It would regenerate roughly every 9.8 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 TN38?
At 273 ppm, expect to use about 56 kg of salt a year, costing roughly £16–£27/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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