How Hard Is Your Water?
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Soft
Hard
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parts per million* Unfortunately we do not have data for your area but you could still benefit from a water softener.
Enter your postcode to check the hardness of the water in your area
Are these hard water issues familiar to you?
Clogged shower head
Stained kettles and coffee machines
Stained bathroom surfaces
Frequent maintenance of washing machines
Rough hair and skin
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Water Hardness in my Area
Hard water is simply water that contains higher levels of naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium. Across the UK, water hardness levels vary widely, with London, the South East and much of the Midlands seeing the highest readings. In case you’re wondering, ‘how hard is my water’ by checking your postcode, you can find out exactly how hard your local supply is and understand why you may be noticing limescale or appliance issues at home. Harvey Water Softeners are built for the UK’s hardest-hit areas, making it easy to reduce limescale and enjoy consistently softened water once you know your local hardness level.
Water Hardness Map UK
Our Water Hardness Map gives you a quick, visual snapshot of how hardness levels vary across the UK. Each postcode area is colour-coded to show whether your local supply is soft (light blue), medium (mid blue), or hard (dark blue) making it easy to see how your region compares at a glance. Much of the South East, London and the Midlands appear in the hardest categories, while parts of Scotland, Wales and the North show naturally softer water. Use the map to explore your area, then enter your postcode to get your exact hardness reading and see how a Harvey Water Softener could improve your home’s water quality.
How Water Hardness in Your Area Affects You
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Your Home
If you live in a hard water area, you’ve probably noticed limescale building up around your home — in your kettle, on taps, and across your shower surfaces. This white, chalky residue forms because hard water contains higher levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. The harder your local water supply, the more frequently you’ll find yourself cleaning to keep limescale under control.
Your Appliances
Hard water is far tougher on your appliances and pipes than softened water. The higher levels of calcium and magnesium leave behind mineral deposits that can restrict flow, reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of boilers, washing machines and other household systems. With softened water, your appliances can run more efficiently, last longer and experience far less hidden limescale buildup throughout your home’s pipework.
Your Bills
Hard water can increase your household costs, as you’ll often need more shampoo, soap, and cleaning products to get the same results. Appliances also tend to wear out faster and perform less efficiently than they would with soft water, leading to higher maintenance and replacement expenses over time.
Your Skin and Hair
Your water can have a big effect on the health and feel of your skin. In areas like Brighton, the water is hard, containing higher levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals can strip the skin’s natural protective barrier, leaving it dry, irritated, or more prone to certain skin conditions. To help, use deep-nourishing creams, wear gloves when washing up, and consider a water softener, softened water is gentler on the skin and can make a noticeable difference in hydration and comfort.
Your environment
Household products tend to be much less effective in hard water areas. Things like shampoos, conditioners, soaps, bubble bath products and cleaning products will all struggle to lather as they would in a soft water area and you’ll find you need to use more of them to get the same effect. This means more plastic bottles and more chemicals in your home.
FAQ: How Hard is My Water?
You can know if you have hard water by using a water hardness checker or test kit to measure the levels of calcium and magnesium in your water. Signs of hard water in your home, like limescale buildup on taps, showers or inside kettles also indicate water hardness.
Water hardness varies across the UK and from city to city. To answer “how hard is my water?”, you can use the free water hardness checker tool on this page. It helps you quickly find out the local water hardness rating for your postcode or area (e.g. London or elsewhere).
You test water hardness by using a simple test strip or water hardness testing kit, which measures mineral content in your water. Using a water hardness checker (like the one on this page) gives a quick, accurate reading of how hard or soft your water is.
Even without a test, you can often tell by observable signs- frequent limescale buildup in kettles, sinks, or on showerheads; soap not lathering well; or spotting on glassware. These indicators suggest your water may be hard.
Checking water hardness helps you decide whether you need a water softener. If water is moderately to very hard, a softener from Harvey can reduce limescale, protect appliances, and improve water feel.
Yes, while hard water is safe to drink, the extra minerals can reduce the quality of water in your home by causing limescale, dull laundry, cloudy glassware and reduced appliance efficiency.
Yes, entering your postcode is the quickest way to see the hardness level supplied to your home. Our tool provides an accurate reading based on your local water provider’s data.
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Thank you for the great service and…
Thank you for the great service and taking care to show how it all works and what to do tonight and tomorrow morning. Overall, a great experience and excellent service. Thank you.A+++
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Richard did a fantastic job installing…
Richard did a fantastic job installing the water softener.
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Wayne delivered our salt promptly and with courtesy. More than that, he delivered it not smashed to pieces as Royal Mail and DPD have done of late. Very pleased!
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Great customer service
Amar was professional, knowledgeable and most importantly listened. We’ve purchased a new softener replacing our 10 year old one. There was no hard sale and no pressure but the discount offered along with 6 mon...
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Friendly lovely service from Tony Scala.
Friendly lovely service from Tony Scala.
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Excellent customer service …
Received my order today and Norman Hinkley driver was very polite and pleasant. As I wasn’t home my wife asked him to bring it into the house and he was happy to help with the request. Always received great se...
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