Tap water in TN1, Tunbridge WellsToo few tap tests to call it.Moderately soft.
Supplied by South East Water. 9 substances, latest on 1 September 2026. These are river and groundwater samples near TN1, not tests of treated tap water, so treat the score as a rough guide.
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 TN1.
BWT E1 Single Lever
£250typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in TN1.
BRITA Marella XL + MAXTRA PRO
£25typical price
Basic chlorine and taste improvement on a budget
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What's in a glass of TN1 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 came closest to a limit, at 100% of it. 2 of 4 substances used under a quarter of theirs.
- Turbidity100%
- Ammonia26%
- Nitrate4%
- Nitrite3%
- pH 7.52 pH
- Temperature 15.3 °C
- Conductivity 471 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.045 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 9.34 mg/L
All 9 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 4 NTU | 4 NTU | 100% |
| pH | 7.52 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 15.3 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 471 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 2.2 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 4% |
| Phosphate | 0.045 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 9.34 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.13 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 26% |
| Nitrite | 0.015 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 3% |
97mg of limescale minerals in every litre
Soft water. Kind to kettles, boilers and skin
You will not need a softener here, and you will use less soap and detergent than most of England.
Your river is the Somerhill Stream, rated poor
The Environment Agency rated the Somerhill Stream as poor for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is badly affected, with much of the expected wildlife missing. It is held back by insects and other small river life, phosphate and water plants and algae. 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. Its ecological rating has improved since the previous assessment.
None of this is a test of your tap water. Environment Agency record · River health across England
TN1 in short
Tap water in TN1 (Tunbridge Wells) is supplied by South East Water in the Tunbridge Wells 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 September 2026.
- Turbidity is within its legal limit but flagged, at 100% of the 4 NTU maximumAnything over three quarters of a limit is flagged here as worth watching. It has not gone over. See every reading
- 4th cleanest of 6 areas tested in Tunbridge WellsSquarely mid-table for Tunbridge Wells, between TN18 on 9.4 and TN3 on 6.
- 1.4 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 TN1 water
Is TN1 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, TN1 (Tunbridge Wells) water scores 7.6/10, which is safe. 1 of 9 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by South East Water.
What contaminants are in TN1 water?
We tested 9 contaminants in TN1 water. 1 were flagged, including Turbidity.
Who supplies water in TN1?
TN1 (Tunbridge Wells) is supplied by South East Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is TN1 water hard or soft?
Water in TN1 (Tunbridge Wells) has a hardness of 97 mg/L CaCO3, which is classified as moderately soft. This is a moderate hardness level.
Should I use a water filter in TN1?
With 1 contaminant above recommended levels in TN1, 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 TN1 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for TN1, 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 TN1?
The Environment Agency rated the Somerhill Stream as poor for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is badly affected, with much of the expected wildlife missing. It is held back by insects and other small river life, phosphate and water plants and algae. 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. Its ecological rating has improved since the previous assessment. This is a rating of the river, not of tap water in TN1, which is treated before it reaches homes.
Keep reading
- Best Water Filters UKEvery filter type compared on what it actually removes
- Is UK Tap Water Safe?Everything you need to know about tap water safety in the UK
- How to Test Your Tap WaterFrom DIY strips to professional lab analysis
- Best Water Filter Jug UKBRITA vs ZeroWater vs the rest, tested against real data
How to test your waterBest water filtersFilter shower headsWater testing kitsUK water rankingsWater hardness checkerWater hardness map
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