Compare tap water hardness in 4 cities in North East England, England. Average: 6.63°fH (Excellent quality).
In North East England, tap water hardness averages 6.63°fH, corresponding to moderately soft water. The softest water is found in Durham (2.7°fH, score 10/10) and the hardest in Sunderland (12.3°fH, score 8/10). The England average in our dataset is 18.1°fH. All 4 cities have water compliant with DWI regulations (Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2018).
The average tap water hardness in North East England is 6.63°fH, corresponding to moderately soft water. Among the 4 cities covered, the softest water is found in Durham (2.7°fH) and the hardest in Sunderland (12.3°fH). The England average in our dataset is 18.1°fH.
Yes. Tap water in North East England is regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2018. Water hardness of 6.63°fH does not affect safety; it only influences appliance maintenance and taste. All 4 cities in our database have compliant water.
At 6.63°fH average, a water softener is optional in North East England. Basic anti-scale measures (pitcher filter, regular descaling) are sufficient in most cities.
Water in North East England is supplied by Northumbrian Water. Data in our database comes from official zone-level analyses published by these utilities (2025).
All 4 cities in North East England with their hardness values are listed on this page. Click on any city name to get full details: quality index, DWI compliance, impact on appliances and personalised recommendations.
Data: Northumbrian Water official zone-level hardness reports (2025). Readings verified via DWI drinking water quality database.