This water hardness map is a guide only. To confirm your water hardness please visit your local water authority website.


Hard water itself isn't necessarily a problem. In history people enjoyed the healing effects of it. For example, the mineral-rich springs in Bath are famous for those healing properties.

However, hard water can have other unwanted side-effects, especially on your taps and showers. If hard water is heated past or left to stand, the dissolved minerals in it solidify as the moisture evaporates. These solidified minerals are called limescale. Limescale will often cover taps and build up in shower heads and it can be difficult to remove.

It is quoted by water-guide.org.uk that in an average 4 person household generates up to 70kg of limescale in a single year. That is a lot of limescale to try to keep in control. And according to British Water even a 1.6mm coating of limescale on a heating element can make it up to 12% less effective, potentially causing you to waste up to £200 worth of energy every year. This could affect the performance of your electric shower. 

Find out more below.