When thinking about the quality of water in the West Midlands, one of the most common questions that comes up is, "Is Birmingham water hard or soft?" Knowing about the water in your area can have a big impact on your daily life, from the efficiency of your household appliances to the quality of your hair and skin. So, does Birmingham have hard water – or soft water?

What’s the difference between hard and soft water?

Before we look into whether Birmingham water is hard or soft, it’s good to get an understanding of the difference between the two. Water’s hardness focuses on the levels of dissolved minerals in your tap water. These minerals come from different geological formations deep underground and can vary depending on where you live. 

Soft water has a low natural mineral content, mainly calcium and magnesium. Hard water contains far higher levels of these minerals, which can lead to limescale buildup in appliances and affect skin and hair. The UK’s water hardness level is measured on a sliding scale of parts per million (ppm). A scale reading of between 0-150 means water is soft to slightly hard, and 150-350 is moderately hard to very hard.

Does Birmingham have hard water?

Depending on the area, the UK has a varied mix of water hardness, which can impact people’s everyday lives. But, the West Midlands generally has medium to hard water. While the water supply across the region comes from a range of surface and groundwater sources, including rivers, reservoirs, and underground aquifers, the water has a higher mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium.

However, despite being at the heart of the West Midlands, Birmingham itself is a soft water area. So why the stark contrast between water hardness levels? This is because, for the last 100 years or more, Birmingham’s soft water has come directly from the Elan Valley in the heart of Wales. Coming from different reservoirs, the water reaches the city via 73 miles of tunnels and aqueducts.

The impact of soft water in Birmingham

For the people and businesses of Birmingham, having soft tap water brings several benefits. Soft water is kinder to many household appliances and can reduce limescale buildup in kettles, boilers, and other water-using appliances. That means you can benefit from lower maintenance costs and longer-lasting appliances, which is a bonus for households and businesses.

Soft water is also better for your skin and hair, leaving them smoother and cleaner, so you use less soap and shampoo to get the same level of cleanliness, which can bring cost savings on your household products. And, of course, soft water has a more pleasant taste when you drink it!

Go soft with water from Thirsty Work

So, is Birmingham water hard or soft? The answer is that Birmingham has soft water thanks to it coming directly from soft water sources in Wales. But if you’re outside of Birmingham, in the West Midlands, and still want to get the benefits of great-tasting soft water for your home or office, Thirsty Work offers a range of bottled water coolers to help you do just that.

With a range of bottled water coolers that use natural, pure-filtered spring water and mains-fed water coolers that have an advanced filtration system eliminating all impurities (including micro-plastics), why not call 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.comtoday?  Get your free quote, or start your no-obligation, 10-day free trial and set up your home or office today with deliveries direct from our Walsall depot.