For London residents, hard water is an unavoidable reality of daily life. But how hard is it exactly?
London’s water comes from rainwater, which is naturally soft. However, as it seeps through the city's chalky and limestone-rich geology, it picks up dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, turning London’s water hard.
On average, London's water has around 293 parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate, which classifies it as very hard.
London's water
London’s water supply, managed by Thames Water, comes primarily from rivers, including the River Thames. The water is naturally soft when it falls as rain, but as it passes through limestone geology common in Greater London and the South East, it collects hard water minerals.
In contrast to softer areas like the South West, London’s hard water is notorious.
Most London households experience water with high levels of calcium and magnesium minerals, leading to noticeable effects on their water supply and household systems.
Some areas, like High Barnet, even exceed 340ppm, making their water among the hardest in the city. If you’re wondering whether this affects your home, the answer is yes—especially when it comes to limescale build-up and appliance efficiency.
The effects of London's hard water
Hard water isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it can cause real problems. The most obvious issue is limescale build-up in household appliances like kettles, washing machines, and heating systems.
Limescale forms when hard water is heated, leaving deposits in pipes and reducing the efficiency of water heaters. This can cause low water pressure and even appliance breakdowns.
Moreover, hard water can affect personal hygiene, causing dry skin and hair, and making laundry feel stiff and scratchy.
To read more about the effects of hard water and other relevant information, see our comprehensive guide to hard water vs soft water.
How to reduce water hardness in a London home
The good news is that hard water doesn’t have to be endured indefinitely. A few home remedies, like using apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, can temporarily remove limescale from appliances.
However, the most effective long-term solution to combat water hardness is to install a water softener.
What is a water softener, and how does it work?
A water softener is a system that connects to your mains water supply and removes the calcium and magnesium particles through a process called ion exchange.
The softener’s tanks are filled with sodium ions, which replace the hard water minerals, resulting in soft water that won’t lead to limescale buildup. Regular maintenance, including adding salt to the softener, is necessary to ensure continued efficiency.
This system helps protect your appliances, keeps your tap water flowing smoothly, and makes your home’s water supply much easier to manage.
What are the benefits of water softeners?
Softer, smoother skin and hair
One of the most immediate benefits of soft water is how much kinder it is on your skin and hair. Hard water, rich in calcium and magnesium minerals, can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated, especially for those prone to conditions like eczema. It can also leave your hair feeling brittle.
With a water softener, you’ll notice smoother, more hydrated skin and shinier, softer hair. Bathing in soft water helps preserve your skin’s natural moisture, reducing the dryness that hard water often causes.
Prolongs the life of household appliances
Water softeners also protect household appliances from the damaging effects of limescale buildup. Appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and kettles can suffer from hard water particles clogging their inner mechanisms, causing them to wear out faster.
A water softener reduces this buildup by removing calcium and magnesium compounds, allowing your appliances to work more efficiently and last longer. This means fewer repairs and replacements, which ultimately saves you money.
Improves energy efficiency
Limescale build-up harms appliances and your home’s heating system. When boilers and pipes are coated in scale, they have to work harder to heat the water, leading to higher energy costs. A water softener helps maintain the efficiency of your boiler and central heating system by preventing limescale accumulation.
This means your system can run more smoothly, saving you money on heating bills and reducing your overall energy consumption.
Reduces limescale build-up
Perhaps one of the most noticeable changes when you switch to soft water is the reduction of limescale build-up in your home. Hard water leaves unsightly white deposits on surfaces like sinks, showerheads, taps, and tiles. Over time, this build-up can block your pipes and reduce water pressure.
Soft water eliminates these issues, keeping your home cleaner and your plumbing free from blockages. Not only does this cut down on your cleaning time, but it also prevents the need for costly plumbing repairs.
Saves you money on maintenance
A water softener can save you a significant amount of money on maintenance and repairs by reducing limescale and protecting your appliances. You'll enjoy lower maintenance costs without the constant need to descale your appliances or fix pipe blockages.
The extended lifespan of your appliances and the improved efficiency of your heating system can lead to considerable long-term savings.
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When to call in a JustFix professional
If you're noticing the signs of hard water—like limescale buildup, low water pressure, or issues with your appliances—and home remedies or water-softening systems haven’t resolved the problem, it might be time to consult a professional London plumber. In some cases, the scale buildup in your pipes, water heater, or plumbing fixtures could be severe enough to require expert attention.
For a more permanent solution, get in touch with a qualified London plumber at JustFix, the home of high-quality service at affordable prices.
Our teams of Fixers work throughout London to provide you with professionals at fair, fixed prices. When you book online with us, we'll match you with a London plumber close to you who can assess your water supply and recommend the best solution—whether it’s installing a water softening system, descaling your plumbing, or repairing damage caused by hard water. Let us help you maintain a comfortable, efficient home with clear, smooth-running water.
Troubleshoot more plumbing problems with our handy guides on topics like what to do when your toilet cistern isn’t filling and how to fix a leaking tap.
FAQs
Do water softeners need to be serviced?
Yes, water softeners require regular servicing to maintain their efficiency and ensure they continue to effectively remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium.
During a service, a technician will check for leaks, clean the resin beads, and ensure that key parts, such as bypass valves and the metering system, are functioning correctly.
Over time, the accumulation of hard water particles can affect the performance of your water softener, which is why periodic maintenance is recommended. If you're using a water softener in an area like London, where the water hardness levels are particularly high, having an annual check-up is a good idea to protect your household appliances and keep your system running smoothly.
Where in the UK has the hardest water?
The hardest water in the UK is typically found in the South East, including Greater London. Areas like High Barnet and Epping often report water hardness levels exceeding 300 parts per million (ppm), which places them among the top hard water areas in the country.
In contrast, regions such as the South West of England tend to have much softer water, often classified as moderately soft or even naturally soft. London’s water supply, largely sourced from the River Thames, is exposed to limestone geology, which leads to high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium compounds.
This makes London’s water particularly prone to limescale build-up, which can cause issues with tap water, drinking water, and the performance of washing machines and other appliances.
