Compare tap water hardness in 4 cities in North West England, England. Average: 5.91°fH (Excellent quality).
In North West England, tap water hardness averages 5.91°fH, corresponding to moderately soft water. The softest water is found in Blackburn (4.59°fH, score 10/10) and the hardest in Preston (9.28°fH, score 9/10). 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 West England is 5.91°fH, corresponding to moderately soft water. Among the 4 cities covered, the softest water is found in Blackburn (4.59°fH) and the hardest in Preston (9.28°fH). The England average in our dataset is 18.1°fH.
Yes. Tap water in North West England is regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2018. Water hardness of 5.91°fH does not affect safety; it only influences appliance maintenance and taste. All 4 cities in our database have compliant water.
At 5.91°fH average, a water softener is optional in North West England. Basic anti-scale measures (pitcher filter, regular descaling) are sufficient in most cities.
Water in North West England is supplied by United Utilities. Data in our database comes from official zone-level analyses published by these utilities (2025).
All 4 cities in North West 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: United Utilities official zone-level hardness reports (2025). Readings verified via DWI drinking water quality database.