137mg of limescale minerals in every litre, the median across PR districts
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
- 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 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.
Questions about Preston water
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.