Tap water in IP16, East SuffolkToo few tap tests to call it.Very hard.
Supplied by Anglian Water. 9 substances, latest on 23 September 2026. These are river and groundwater samples near IP16, not tests of treated tap water, so treat the score as a rough guide.
9.2 / 10
The tank is as full as the score. The specks are the minerals that make water hard.
What to do about it
Hard water: compare softener quotes
At 380 mg/L a softener is the only thing that stops limescale. Filters do not soften water.
It pays for itself in most homes at this hardness, through a boiler that stays efficient and appliances that last.
ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready-Pour
£40typical price
Households concerned about PFAS and heavy metals
Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink
£70typical price
High-volume under-sink filtration without RO complexity
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What's in a glass of IP16 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.
Iron came closest to a limit, at 18% of it. 4 of 4 substances used under a quarter of theirs.
- Iron18%
- Ammonia10%
- Nitrate7%
- Nitrite2%
- pH 7.59 pH
- Temperature 14.1 °C
- Conductivity 1068 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.028 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 6.54 mg/L
All 9 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.59 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 14.1 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 1068 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 3.5 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 7% |
| Nitrite | 0.01 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 2% |
| Phosphate | 0.028 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 6.54 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.048 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 10% |
| Iron | 0.035 mg/L | 0.2 mg/L | 18% |
380mg of limescale minerals in every litre, typical for the IP area. IP16 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 IP16
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Your river is the Leiston Beck, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Leiston Beck 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, ammonia 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
IP16 in short
Tap water in IP16 (East Suffolk) is supplied by Anglian Water in the East Suffolk Central zone and scores 9.2 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. None of the 9 tested substances came close to a limit. The latest sample is from 23 September 2026.
- Among the hardest water in the country at 380 mg/LVery hard starts at 250 mg/L. At this level kettles scale up within weeks and a softener is a normal purchase across the IP postcode area. How hardness is measured
- 4th cleanest of 13 areas tested in East SuffolkOnly 3 areas in East Suffolk scored higher. The best is NR33 on 9.4.
- Nothing tested came within 40% of its legal limitThe highest was Iron at 18% of the 0.2 mg/L maximum. See every reading
Questions about IP16 water
Is IP16 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, IP16 (East Suffolk) water scores 9.2/10, which is safe. 0 of 9 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Anglian Water.
What contaminants are in IP16 water?
We tested 9 contaminants in IP16 water. None exceeded recommended safe levels.
Who supplies water in IP16?
IP16 (East Suffolk) is supplied by Anglian Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is IP16 water hard or soft?
No hardness reading has been published for IP16 itself. Across the IP postcode area the typical value is 380 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 IP16?
IP16 water scored 9.2/10 with no contaminants above recommended levels. A filter is optional but can improve taste, especially if you notice a chlorine flavour. See our filter recommendations for your area.
Are there PFAS forever chemicals in IP16 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for IP16, 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 IP16?
The Environment Agency rated the Leiston Beck 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, ammonia 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 IP16, 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?
- Is UK Tap Water Safe?Everything you need to know about tap water safety in the UK
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- Best water softener UKHarvey, Kinetico, BWT, Monarch and Water2Buy compared
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- 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
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