60mg of limescale minerals in every litre, the median across ZE districts
Is Shetland a hard water area?
No. Tap water across the ZE postcode area is moderately soft, with little limescale to speak of, with a median of 60 mg/L calcium carbonate. It ranges from 60 mg/L in ZE2 to 60 mg/L in ZE3, from 2 districts with their own water company reading and 1 estimated from the area.
- 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 ZE district
Hardest first. Hard starts at 180 mg/L, very hard at 250. Districts marked with an asterisk take the area's median rather than a reading of their own.
You do not need a softener in Shetland.
At 60 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 60 and 60 mg/L.
Questions about Shetland water
Is Shetland a hard water area?
No. The median hardness across ZE postcode districts is 60 mg/L calcium carbonate, which is moderately soft. 0% of the 3 districts we hold readings for are hard or very hard (180 mg/L and above).
What is the water hardness in Shetland?
Between 60 and 60 mg/L depending on the district, with a median of 60. The hardest measured district is ZE3 at 60 mg/L and the softest is ZE2 at 60. Figures come from water company drinking-water tests, with postcode-area estimates for districts that have no reading of their own.
Do I need a water softener in Shetland?
Usually not. At a median of 60 mg/L limescale is a minor issue in Shetland. 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.