Tap water in TN3, Tunbridge Wells2 results are over the limit.Moderately soft.
Supplied by South East Water. 11 substances, latest on 1 September 2026. Manganese and Iron came in above the legal limit. Everything else passed.
6.0 / 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 TN3.
BWT E1 Single Lever
£250typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in TN3.
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 TN3 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.
Manganese is over its legal limit, at 128% of it.
- Manganese128%
- Iron111%
- Turbidity100%
- Ammonia18%
- Nitrite7%
- Nitrate3%
- pH 7.38 pH
- Temperature 16.4 °C
- Conductivity 321 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.048 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 6.96 mg/L
All 11 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 4 NTU | 4 NTU | 100% |
| Manganese | 0.064 mg/L | 0.05 mg/L | 128% |
| Iron | 0.222 mg/L | 0.2 mg/L | 111% |
| pH | 7.38 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 16.4 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 321 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.088 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 18% |
| Nitrate | 1.6 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 3% |
| Nitrite | 0.035 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 7% |
| Phosphate | 0.048 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 6.96 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
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 Grom, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Grom as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by 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
TN3 in short
Tap water in TN3 (Tunbridge Wells) is supplied by South East Water in the Tunbridge Wells Central zone and scores 6.0 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. 3 of 11 tested substances were close to or over a limit. The latest sample is from 1 September 2026.
- Manganese was measured at 0.064 mg/L, 28% over the UK limitIt is the furthest over its limit of the 3 substances flagged here. See the full results
- The lowest score of the 6 areas tested in Tunbridge WellsTN3 scores 6 out of 10. The best in Tunbridge Wells, TN18, scores 9.4.
- 3 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 TN3 water
Is TN3 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, TN3 (Tunbridge Wells) water scores 6/10, which is mostly safe but has some issues. 3 of 11 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by South East Water.
What contaminants are in TN3 water?
We tested 11 contaminants in TN3 water. 3 were flagged, including Turbidity, Manganese, Iron.
Who supplies water in TN3?
TN3 (Tunbridge Wells) is supplied by South East Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is TN3 water hard or soft?
Water in TN3 (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 TN3?
With 3 contaminants above recommended levels in TN3, 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 TN3 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for TN3, 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 TN3?
The Environment Agency rated the Grom as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by 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 TN3, 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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