Tap water in IG9, Epping Forest2 results are over the limit.Very hard.
Supplied by Affinity Water. 15 substances, latest on 1 September 2026. Turbidity and Ammonia came in above the legal limit. Everything else passed.
7.3 / 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 IG9.
Stop the limescale
At 272 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 IG9.
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What's in a glass of IG9 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.
Ammonia is over its legal limit, at 121% of it.
- Ammonia121%
- Turbidity102%
- Nitrate19%
- Nickel17%
- Arsenic13%
- Nitrite8%
- Cadmium<1%
- Copper<1%
- pH 8.65 pH
- Temperature 19.2 °C
- Conductivity 795 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.29 mg/L
- Zinc 0.0039 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 15.9 mg/L
- PFAS (total) 0.0086 µg/L
All 15 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 4.1 NTU | 4 NTU | 102% |
| Ammonia | 0.604 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 121% |
| pH | 8.65 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 19.2 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 795 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Cadmium | 0.000028 mg/L | 0.005 mg/L | <1% |
| Nitrate | 9.3 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 19% |
| Nitrite | 0.04 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 8% |
| Phosphate | 0.29 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Zinc | 0.0039 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Nickel | 0.0033 mg/L | 0.02 mg/L | 17% |
| Arsenic | 0.0013 mg/L | 0.01 mg/L | 13% |
| Copper | 0.0023 mg/L | 2 mg/L | <1% |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 15.9 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| PFAS (total) | 0.0086 µg/L | No legal limit | – |
272mg of limescale minerals in every litre, typical for the IG area. IG9 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 IG9
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Your river is the Lower Roding (Loughton to Thames), rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Lower Roding (Loughton to Thames) as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by phosphate and insects and other small river life. 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
133
forever-chemical detections in nearby rivers and groundwater
At 7 sites. The highest was PFOS at 0.014 µg/L, at Lee Navigation Subsidiary B Above Picketts Lock, 5.0 km away, in July 2023. These are river and borehole samples, not tests of your tap water.
Every PFAS sample around London · Which filters remove PFAS · PFAS explained
IG9 in short
Tap water in IG9 (Epping Forest) is supplied by Affinity Water in the Epping Forest Central zone and scores 7.3 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. 2 of 15 tested substances were close to or over a limit. The latest sample is from 1 September 2026.
- Ammonia was measured at 0.6 mg/L, 21% over the UK limitIt is the furthest over its limit of the 2 substances flagged here. See the full results
- 5th cleanest of 6 areas tested in Epping Forest1 area in Epping Forest scored lower. The best is CM5 on 9.5.
- Very hard water at 272 mg/LThe threshold for very hard is 250 mg/L. Expect visible limescale on taps and in kettles across the IG postcode area. How hardness is measured
Questions about IG9 water
Is IG9 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, IG9 (Epping Forest) water scores 7.3/10, which is safe. 2 of 15 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Affinity Water.
What contaminants are in IG9 water?
We tested 15 contaminants in IG9 water. 2 were flagged, including Turbidity, Ammonia. PFAS (forever chemicals) were also detected at 0.0086 µg/L in nearby environmental monitoring.
Who supplies water in IG9?
IG9 (Epping Forest) is supplied by Affinity Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is IG9 water hard or soft?
No hardness reading has been published for IG9 itself. Across the IG postcode area the typical value is 272 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 IG9?
With 2 contaminants above recommended levels in IG9, a water filter could help. A reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter is recommended for PFAS removal. See our filter recommendations for your area.
Are there PFAS forever chemicals in IG9 water?
Yes, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in IG9 at 0.0086 µg/L from environmental monitoring. The UK currently has no legal limit for PFAS in drinking water. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS levels.
How clean is the river near IG9?
The Environment Agency rated the Lower Roding (Loughton to Thames) as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by phosphate and insects and other small river life. 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 IG9, which is treated before it reaches homes.
Keep reading
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- PFAS Forever ChemicalsWhat PFAS are and how to reduce your exposure at home
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- 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
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- Best water softener UKHarvey, Kinetico, BWT, Monarch and Water2Buy compared
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- 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
PFAS explainedHow to test your waterBest water filtersFilter shower headsWater testing kitsUK water rankingsWater hardness checkerWater hardness map
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