85mg of limescale minerals in every litre, the median across DH districts
Is Durham a hard water area?
No. Tap water across the DH postcode area is moderately soft, with little limescale to speak of, with a median of 85 mg/L calcium carbonate. It ranges from 68 mg/L in DH1 to 480 mg/L in DH6, from 9 districts with their own water company reading.
- Soft
- 0 to 60 mg/L
- Moderately soft
- 60 to 120 mg/L
- Slightly hard
- 120 to 180 mg/L
- Hard
- 180 to 200 mg/L
- Very hard
- 200 to 400 mg/L
Hardness by DH district
Hardest first. Hard starts at 180 mg/L, very hard at 250.
| District | Area | mg/L | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| DH6 | County Durham | 480 | very hard |
| DH4 | Sunderland | 378 | very hard |
| DH5 | Sunderland | 315 | very hard |
| DH8 | County Durham | 90 | moderately soft |
| DH7 | County Durham | 85 | moderately soft |
| DH3 | County Durham | 80 | moderately soft |
| DH2 | County Durham | 80 | moderately soft |
| DH9 | County Durham | 78 | moderately soft |
| DH1 | County Durham | 68 | moderately soft |
You do not need a softener in Durham.
At 85 mg/L the practical effects are minor. If you notice anything, it is usually chlorine rather than hardness: a shower filter or a filter jug deals with that.
Check your exact postcode
The area figure is a median. Your district can sit anywhere between 68 and 480 mg/L.
Questions about Durham water
Is Durham a hard water area?
No. The median hardness across DH postcode districts is 85 mg/L calcium carbonate, which is moderately soft. 33% of the 9 districts we hold readings for are hard or very hard (180 mg/L and above).
What is the water hardness in Durham?
Between 68 and 480 mg/L depending on the district, with a median of 85. The hardest measured district is DH6 at 480 mg/L and the softest is DH1 at 68. Figures come from water company drinking-water tests.
Do I need a water softener in Durham?
Usually not. At a median of 85 mg/L limescale is a minor issue in Durham. A filter jug or a shower filter covers the everyday effects. Only districts at 180 mg/L or above are worth a softener quote.
Hardness as mg/L calcium carbonate from water company drinking-water tests and postcode checkers. See the UK hardness map for every area.