Tap water in RG7, West BerkshireToo few tap tests to call it.Very hard.
Supplied by Thames Water. 10 substances, latest on 3 July 2026. These are river and groundwater samples near RG7, not tests of treated tap water, so treat the score as a rough guide.
8.5 / 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 295 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 RG7 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.
Nitrate came closest to a limit, at 38% of it. 3 of 4 substances used under a quarter of theirs.
- Nitrate38%
- Ammonia13%
- Nitrite9%
- Copper2%
- pH 7.9 pH
- Temperature 16.9 °C
- Conductivity 1065 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.4 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 8.48 mg/L
- PFAS (total) 0.00401 µg/L
All 10 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.9 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 16.9 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 1065 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 19 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 38% |
| Nitrite | 0.044 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 9% |
| Phosphate | 0.4 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 8.48 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.066 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 13% |
| Copper | 0.0374 mg/L | 2 mg/L | 2% |
| PFAS (total) | 0.00401 µg/L | No legal limit | – |
295mg of limescale minerals in every litre, typical for the RG area. RG7 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 RG7
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Your river is the Clayhill Brook, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Clayhill Brook as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by fish, water plants and algae 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
283
forever-chemical detections in nearby rivers and groundwater
At 10 sites. The highest was 6:2 FtSAB at 0.067 µg/L, at Blackwater at Gauging Station, Swallowfield, 9.2 km away, in January 2026. These are river and borehole samples, not tests of your tap water.
Every PFAS sample around Reading · Which filters remove PFAS · PFAS explained
RG7 in short
Tap water in RG7 (West Berkshire) is supplied by Thames Water in the West Berkshire Central zone and scores 8.5 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. None of the 10 tested substances came close to a limit. The latest sample is from 3 July 2026.
- 5th cleanest of 6 areas tested in Reading1 area in Reading scored lower. The best is RG17 on 8.6. Every area in Reading
- Very hard water at 295 mg/LThe threshold for very hard is 250 mg/L. Expect visible limescale on taps and in kettles across the RG postcode area. How hardness is measured
- 0.5 points below the national average of 9Below the typical tested district in the UK, which is worth knowing before you choose a filter. Compare every area
Questions about RG7 water
Is RG7 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, RG7 (West Berkshire) water scores 8.5/10, which is safe. 0 of 10 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Thames Water.
What contaminants are in RG7 water?
We tested 10 contaminants in RG7 water. None exceeded recommended safe levels. PFAS (forever chemicals) were also detected at 0.00401 µg/L in nearby environmental monitoring.
Who supplies water in RG7?
RG7 (West Berkshire) is supplied by Thames Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is RG7 water hard or soft?
No hardness reading has been published for RG7 itself. Across the RG postcode area the typical value is 295 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 RG7?
RG7 water scored 8.5/10 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 RG7 water?
Yes, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in RG7 at 0.00401 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 RG7?
The Environment Agency rated the Clayhill Brook as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by fish, water plants and algae 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 RG7, 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?
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- Installation explainedWhere it goes, the bypass tap, the drain, DIY or plumber
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- 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 kitsAll of ReadingUK water rankingsWater hardness checkerWater hardness map
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