34 postcode districts testedWater quality in North East England
According to TapWater.uk's analysis, North East England scores 9.5/10 for drinking water quality in 2026, based on data from 34 postcode districts. Water quality across Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham and Teesside. Supplied by Northumbrian Water.
9.5 / 10
34 areas tested · 1 supplier
Tap water in North East England has an average safety score of 9.5 out of 10 based on testing across 34 postcode districts. Water is supplied by Northumbrian Water. The overall water quality is good. Data is sourced from the Environment Agency and water company testing via the Stream Water Data Portal.
Cities in North East England
Average water quality score by city.
200mg of limescale minerals in every litre, on average across North East England
North East England water is hard
Hard starts at 180 mg/L, very hard at 250. Hardness varies by area; check your own postcode for the reading where you live.
Softener quotes in North East England
At 200 mg/L a softener protects the boiler, kettle and taps. Tell us your postcode and we will pass your request to installers who cover it. Free, no obligation.
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River health around North East England
1 of the 15 rivers and waters that North East England drains into is rated good or high by the Environment Agency. All of them fail the chemical test, as every river in England does, because of long-lasting pollutants such as mercury and PFOS. This describes the rivers, not your tap water.
| River or water | Ecological health | Postcode districts |
|---|---|---|
| Stainsby Beck Catchment (trib of Tidal Tees) | Bad | TS8 |
| Saltergill Beck Catchment (trib of Tees) | Poor | TS15 |
| Ouse Burn from Source to Tyne | Moderate | NE2, NE3, NE5, NE6, NE7, NE13 |
| Marton West Beck Catchment (trib of Tidal Tees) | Moderate | TS1, TS3, TS4, TS5, TS7 |
| Don from Source to Tidal Limit | Moderate | NE37, NE38, SR5 |
| Hendon Coastal Area | Moderate | SR2, SR3, SR4 |
| Tees from Skerne to Tidal Limit | Moderate | TS16, TS17, TS18 |
| Cowbridge Beck from Source to North Burn | Moderate | TS22, TS23 |
| Lumley Park Burn from Source to Herrington Burn | Moderate | DH4, DH5 |
| Lustrum Beck Catchment (trib of Tees) | Moderate | TS19, TS20 |
| Tyne | Moderate | NE1, NE4 |
| New Burn (Trib of Tyne) | Moderate | NE15 |
Showing the 12 lowest rated of 15. Environment Agency classification, 2025. River health across England
Areas to watch
Questions about North East England water
Is tap water safe in North East England?
Based on our analysis of 34 postcode districts in North East England, the average water quality score is 9.5/10, which is safe. Water is supplied by Northumbrian Water.
Which area has the best water in North East England?
TS18 (Stockton-on-Tees) has the highest water quality score in North East England at 9.7/10.
Which area has the worst water in North East England?
NE6 (Newcastle upon Tyne) has the lowest water quality score in North East England at 9.2/10. Check the postcode page for details on specific contaminants.
Is North East England water hard or soft?
Water in North East England has an average hardness of 200 mg/L CaCO₃, which is classified as hard. Hardness varies by area — check your postcode for exact levels.
Who supplies water in North East England?
Water in North East England is supplied by Northumbrian Water.
Data sourced from the Environment Agency Water Quality Archive and water company testing via the Stream Water Data Portal. See our methodology for how scores are calculated. Reviewed by the TapWater.uk research team.