What is the water hardness in Preston?

Between 84 and 258 mg/L depending on the district, with a median of 137. The hardest measured district is PR8 at 258 mg/L and the softest is PR11 at 84. Figures come from water company drinking-water tests.

Do I need a water softener in Preston?

Usually not. At a median of 137 mg/L limescale is a minor issue in Preston. A filter jug or a shower filter covers the everyday effects. Only districts at 180 mg/L or above are worth a softener quote.

Is Preston a hard water area?

No. Tap water across the PR postcode area is moderately hard, with some scale over time but rarely enough to need a softener, with a median of 137 mg/L calcium carbonate. It ranges from 84 mg/L in PR11 to 258 mg/L in PR8, from 13 districts with their own water company reading.

Soft
Moderately soft
Slightly hard
Hard
Very hard

Hardness in mg/L as calcium carbonate, the scale UK water companies report in.

Hardness by PR district

Hardest first. Hard starts at 180 mg/L, very hard at 250.

District	Area	mg/L	Hardness
PR8	Sefton	258	very hard
PR9	Sefton	253	very hard
PR3	Wyre	144	moderately hard
PR5	South Ribble	141	moderately hard
PR26	South Ribble	141	moderately hard
PR6	Chorley	137	moderately hard
PR7	Chorley	137	moderately hard
PR25	South Ribble	136	moderately hard
PR4	Fylde	102	moderately soft
PR1	Preston	85	moderately soft
PR0	Preston	84	moderately soft
PR2	Preston	84	moderately soft
PR11	Preston	84	moderately soft

You do not need a softener in Preston.

At 137 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 84 and 258 mg/L.

Nearby areas

Is Preston a hard water area?: No. The median hardness across PR postcode districts is 137 mg/L calcium carbonate, which is moderately hard. 15% of the 13 districts we hold readings for are hard or very hard (180 mg/L and above).
What is the water hardness in Preston?: Between 84 and 258 mg/L depending on the district, with a median of 137. The hardest measured district is PR8 at 258 mg/L and the softest is PR11 at 84. Figures come from water company drinking-water tests.
Do I need a water softener in Preston?: Usually not. At a median of 137 mg/L limescale is a minor issue in Preston. 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.