Tap water in TN4, Tunbridge WellsToo few tap tests to call it.Slightly hard.
Supplied by South East Water. 9 substances, latest on 2 September 2026. These are river and groundwater samples near TN4, not tests of treated tap water, so treat the score as a rough guide.
7.1 / 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 TN4.
BWT E1 Single Lever
£250typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in TN4.
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 TN4 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%
- Nitrate20%
- Nitrite6%
- pH 7.48 pH
- Temperature 15.8 °C
- Conductivity 514 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.59 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 8.56 mg/L
All 9 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 4 NTU | 4 NTU | 100% |
| pH | 7.48 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 15.8 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 514 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 10 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 20% |
| Nitrite | 0.028 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 6% |
| Phosphate | 0.59 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 8.56 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.13 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 26% |
150mg of limescale minerals in every litre
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 Barden Mill Stream, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Barden Mill Stream as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by 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.
None of this is a test of your tap water. Environment Agency record · River health across England
TN4 in short
Tap water in TN4 (Tunbridge Wells) is supplied by South East Water in the Tunbridge Wells Central zone and scores 7.1 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 2 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
- 5th cleanest of 6 areas tested in Tunbridge Wells1 area in Tunbridge Wells scored lower. The best is TN18 on 9.4.
- 1.9 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 TN4 water
Is TN4 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, TN4 (Tunbridge Wells) water scores 7.1/10, which is safe. 1 of 9 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by South East Water.
What contaminants are in TN4 water?
We tested 9 contaminants in TN4 water. 1 were flagged, including Turbidity.
Who supplies water in TN4?
TN4 (Tunbridge Wells) is supplied by South East Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Is TN4 water hard or soft?
Water in TN4 (Tunbridge Wells) has a hardness of 150 mg/L CaCO3, which is classified as moderately hard. This is a moderate hardness level.
Should I use a water filter in TN4?
With 1 contaminant above recommended levels in TN4, 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 TN4 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for TN4, 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 TN4?
The Environment Agency rated the Barden Mill Stream as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by 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. This is a rating of the river, not of tap water in TN4, which is treated before it reaches homes.
Keep reading
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