Tap water in TN23, AshfordTurbidity is over the limit.Slightly hard.
Supplied by Southern Water. 14 substances, latest on 15 September 2026. Turbidity came in above the legal limit. Everything else passed.
9.0 / 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 TN23.
BWT E1 Single Lever
£250typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in TN23.
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 TN23 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 1775% of it.
- Turbidity1775%
- Nickel12%
- Nitrate7%
- Ammonia7%
- Cadmium2%
- Nitrite<1%
- Copper<1%
- Lead<1%
- pH 7.76 pH
- Temperature 18 °C
- Conductivity 622 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.059 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 7.76 mg/L
- Zinc 0.0077 mg/L
All 14 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 71 NTU | 4 NTU | 1775% |
| pH | 7.76 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 18 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 622 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 3.7 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 7% |
| Nitrite | 0.0049 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | <1% |
| Phosphate | 0.059 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 7.76 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.033 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 7% |
| Cadmium | 0.00012 mg/L | 0.005 mg/L | 2% |
| Lead | 0.00001 mg/L | 0.01 mg/L | <1% |
| Nickel | 0.0024 mg/L | 0.02 mg/L | 12% |
| Zinc | 0.0077 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Copper | 0.0043 mg/L | 2 mg/L | <1% |
150mg of limescale minerals in every litre, typical for the TN area. TN23 has no reading of its own.
Middling hardness. Some scale, slowly
Below the point where a softener pays for itself. Descaling the kettle now and then is all most homes need.
Your river is the Upper Great Stour, rated poor
The Environment Agency rated the Upper Great Stour 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 fish 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
TN23 in short
Tap water in TN23 (Ashford) is supplied by Southern Water in the Ashford Central zone and scores 9.0 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. 1 of 14 tested substances was close to or over a limit. The latest sample is from 15 September 2026.
- Turbidity was measured at 71 NTU, 18 times the UK limitIt is the only one of 14 tested substances to go over its limit. See the full results
- 4th cleanest of 6 areas tested in AshfordSquarely mid-table for Ashford, between TN26 on 9.8 and TN30 on 4.1.
- Moderately hard water at 150 mg/LSome scale over time across the TN postcode area, but not enough to justify a softener for most homes. How hardness is measured
Questions about TN23 water
Is TN23 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, TN23 (Ashford) water scores 9/10, which is safe. 1 of 14 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Southern Water.
What contaminants are in TN23 water?
We tested 14 contaminants in TN23 water. 1 were flagged, including Turbidity.
Who supplies water in TN23?
TN23 (Ashford) is supplied by Southern Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is TN23 water hard or soft?
No hardness reading has been published for TN23 itself. Across the TN postcode area the typical value is 150 mg/L CaCO3, which is classified as moderately hard. This is a moderate hardness level.
Should I use a water filter in TN23?
With 1 contaminant above recommended levels in TN23, 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 TN23 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for TN23, 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 TN23?
The Environment Agency rated the Upper Great Stour 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 fish 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 TN23, 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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