Hard Water in Tyne & Wear
A new study has revealed that Tyne & Wear is one of the areas in England with the hardest water, increasing the risk of residents experiencing problems with plumbing fixtures and water leaks. The research, conducted by hard water softener experts, Aspect, assessed water hardness across England, categorising regions as having soft, moderately hard, hard, or very hard water.
Tyne & Wear ranks 16th overall, alongside Greater London and Northumberland, with a water hardness score of 274, placing it in the ‘very hard’ category.
Impact on Plumbing
While hard water is not usually a health hazard, it can significantly affect plumbing, central heating, and drainage systems. Scale buildup can damage both cold and hot systems, including boilers, dishwashers, and washing machines, leading to corrosion, reduced flow rate, and eventual blockages.
James Hays, Technical Manager of Plumbing, Heating, and AC at Aspect, commented:
“While hard water isn’t usually a risk to your health, it can have a significant effect on plumbing fixtures, causing corrosion, damage, and reduced functionality, and increasing the risk of water leaks.”
Findings from the Study
The study found Kent to have the hardest water in England, with a score of 343, while Barnet was identified as the London Borough with the hardest water at 327. The South East of the UK, composed mainly of chalk and limestone geology, contributes to these areas having the hardest water due to high quantities of calcium and magnesium ions in the water supply.
Of the 32 London Boroughs analysed, 9% had hard water, and 91% had very hard water. Among the 49 counties, 2% had soft water, 29% had moderately hard water, 24% had hard water, and 46% had very hard water. Cumbria was the only county with soft water, attributed to its low levels of chalk and limestone in its geology.
Protecting Your Plumbing
James Hays added:
“The good news is that there are measures that you can take to help to protect your plumbing fixtures from these issues, ensuring they remain both functional and visually appealing. If you live in an area with hard or very hard water, purchasing a water softener may solve these problems for you, by replacing the hardness in the water with sodium ions. It is essential that you make sure that it is installed by a qualified plumber, to make sure that it is done correctly and safely.”
Top 20 English Counties with the Hardest Water
| County | Water Hardness | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 343 | Very hard |
| Cambridgeshire | 341 | Very hard |
| Gloucestershire | 341 | Very hard |
| Northamptonshire | 320 | Very hard |
| West Sussex | 319 | Very hard |
| Essex | 310 | Very hard |
| Bedfordshire | 300 | Very hard |
| Warwickshire | 300 | Very hard |
| Buckinghamshire | 286 | Very hard |
| Norfolk | 286 | Very hard |
| Hertfordshire | 280 | Very hard |
| Lincolnshire | 280 | Very hard |
| Nottinghamshire | 280 | Very hard |
| Oxfordshire | 280 | Very hard |
| Derbyshire | 278 | Very hard |
| Greater London | 274 | Very hard |
| Northumberland | 274 | Very hard |
| Tyne & Wear | 274 | Very hard |
| Dorset | 272 | Very hard |
| Shropshire | 270 | Very hard |
