Tap water in BA16, SomersetTurbidity is over the limit.Very hard.
Supplied by Wessex Water. 9 substances, latest on 1 April 2026. Turbidity came in above the legal limit. Everything else passed.
7.6 / 10
The tank is as full as the score. The specks are the minerals that make water hard.
What to do about it
Osmio PRO-III Ultimate Whole House
£499typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in BA16.
Stop the limescale
At 288 mg/L a softener is the only thing that stops limescale. Filters do not soften water.
BWT E1 Single Lever
£250typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in BA16.
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What's in a glass of BA16 water
Every bubble is a substance the lab measured. The higher it floats, the closer it came to its legal limit, the dashed line at the top.
Turbidity is over its legal limit, at 108% of it.
- Turbidity108%
- Ammonia20%
- Nitrate9%
- Nitrite4%
- pH 8.48 pH
- Temperature 10.9 °C
- Conductivity 671 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.059 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 12.5 mg/L
All 9 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 4.3 NTU | 4 NTU | 108% |
| pH | 8.48 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 10.9 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 671 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 4.5 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 9% |
| Nitrite | 0.021 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 4% |
| Phosphate | 0.059 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 12.5 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.1 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 20% |
288mg of limescale minerals in every litre, typical for the BA area. BA16 has no reading of its own.
This is the water that furs up kettles
Very hard on the UK scale. It is fine to drink. It is hard on boilers, showers, skin and anything that heats water, and a jug or tap filter will not change that.
Softener quotes for BA16
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Your river is the South Drain, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the South Drain as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by dissolved oxygen and phosphate. It fails the chemical test, as every river, estuary and stretch of coast in England does, because of long-lasting pollutants such as mercury, PFOS (a forever chemical) and old flame retardants.
None of this is a test of your tap water. Environment Agency record · River health across England
BA16 in short
Tap water in BA16 (Somerset) is supplied by Wessex Water in the Somerset Central zone and scores 7.6 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. 1 of 9 tested substances was close to or over a limit. The latest sample is from 1 April 2026.
- Turbidity was measured at 4.3 NTU, 7% over the UK limitIt is the only one of 9 tested substances to go over its limit. See the full results
- Very hard water at 288 mg/LThe threshold for very hard is 250 mg/L. Expect visible limescale on taps and in kettles across the BA postcode area. How hardness is measured
- 31st cleanest of 40 areas tested in Somerset9 areas in Somerset scored lower. The best is BA3 on 9.5.
Questions about BA16 water
Is BA16 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, BA16 (Somerset) water scores 7.6/10, which is safe. 1 of 9 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Wessex Water.
What contaminants are in BA16 water?
We tested 9 contaminants in BA16 water. 1 were flagged, including Turbidity.
Who supplies water in BA16?
BA16 (Somerset) is supplied by Wessex Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is BA16 water hard or soft?
No hardness reading has been published for BA16 itself. Across the BA postcode area the typical value is 288 mg/L CaCO3, which is classified as very hard. Hard water can cause limescale buildup. A water softener or filter jug may help.
Should I use a water filter in BA16?
With 1 contaminant above recommended levels in BA16, a water filter could help. A filter jug or under-sink filter can reduce most common contaminants. See our filter recommendations for your area.
Are there PFAS forever chemicals in BA16 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for BA16, and the Environment Agency has no PFAS detections in rivers or groundwater within 10 km of it. That reflects where sampling has happened as much as the water itself.
How clean is the river near BA16?
The Environment Agency rated the South Drain as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by dissolved oxygen and phosphate. It fails the chemical test, as every river, estuary and stretch of coast in England does, because of long-lasting pollutants such as mercury, PFOS (a forever chemical) and old flame retardants. This is a rating of the river, not of tap water in BA16, which is treated before it reaches homes.
Keep reading
- Best Water Softener UKHarvey, Kinetico, BWT, Monarch and Water2Buy compared, with real costs
- Do I Need a Water Softener?The hardness bands, the symptoms, and a postcode check
- UK Water Hardness MapIs your water hard or soft, and does it matter?
- Best Water Filters UKEvery filter type compared on what it actually removes
- Do I need a water softener?The hardness bands, the symptoms, and when the answer is no
- Best water softener UKHarvey, Kinetico, BWT, Monarch and Water2Buy compared
- Water softener costUnit, fitting and salt, and how long the payback takes
- Installation explainedWhere it goes, the bypass tap, the drain, DIY or plumber
- Harvey vs KineticoThe two premium twin-cylinder brands, side by side
- Softener salt guideTablet, block or granular, and how much you get through
- Salt-free softenersConditioners and electronic descalers, honestly assessed
How to test your waterBest water filtersFilter shower headsWater testing kitsUK water rankingsWater hardness checkerWater hardness map
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