Water hardness is a strange phenomenon and varies greatly in most parts of the UK. But whether your water is hard or soft, it can affect the quality of your water supply and your experience of it. This is especially true in regions like Birmingham and the West Midlands. We’ll give you an overview of water hardness in this region, its causes, and how it can impact your daily life.

What is water hardness?

Water hardness refers to the concentration levels of minerals in your water supply, mainly calcium and magnesium. To measure this, the UK uses a water hardness level on a sliding scale of parts per million (ppm). Readings of 0-150 mean the water is soft to slightly hard, 151-275 is moderately hard to hard, and 276 to 350+ is very hard to aggressively hard.

These natural minerals dissolve in the water as they flow through rocks like limestone and chalk, which means that soft water has low natural mineral content, while hard water has higher levels. But while hard water isn’t harmful to your health, it can cause a buildup of limescale, affecting pipework, appliances, and equipment for homes and businesses. 

The water hardness in Birmingham and the West Midlands

The West Midlands region is known for having moderately hard to hard water due to the geological makeup of the overall area. The water supply here, coming from a range of surface and mostly groundwater sources, often contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium. These are absorbed as water filters through the underground rock formations, where much of the water supply comes from.

By contrast, despite being at the heart of the West Midlands and its hard water, Birmingham is classed as a soft water area. So why should the water hardness in Birmingham be different to other areas in the West Midlands? Well, Birmingham’s soft water actually comes from Wales and the Elan Valley from different reservoirs, reaching the city via 73 miles of tunnels and aqueducts.

What’s the impact of water hardness?

For residents and businesses outside Birmingham and across the West Midlands, the moderately hard to hard water means that limescale can build up inside appliances like kettles, boilers, and other equipment that uses water. This is a common issue, and over time, the build-up can reduce their efficiency and lifespan – and affect how the water tastes.

But hard water can affect more than just appliances. Many people in the West Midlands may notice its effects on daily tasks like washing clothes, cleaning, and even showering. Hard water can often cause soap and detergent to be less effective, so you use more to get the same level of cleanliness. It can also leave a residue on skin and hair, sometimes causing dryness or irritation.

How can you manage water hardness?

While you can’t change the hardness of your water supply, there are ways to reduce its effects if you suffer from hard water. Installing water softeners or filters is an effective way to reduce the water’s mineral content. These replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, helping to soften the water without any chemicals.

By doing this, you can help reduce limescale build-up and improve the efficiency of your appliances. However, using them will increase the sodium content of your water. While this is harmless in most cases, it may affect people on low-sodium diets or anyone with certain health concerns.

Get better-tasting water from Thirsty Work

Water hardness in Birmingham, and especially the West Midlands, is a well-known challenge for some. But by understanding it and investing in the right products, it is manageable, and you can take positive steps to improve your overall water quality and taste if it’s affecting you.

So, if you’re in the West Midlands outside Birmingham and want softer, better-tasting water, why not try a Thirsty Work bottled water cooler or mains-fed water cooler and get the taste you deserve? Talk to our customer service team today, get a free quote, or start your 10-day free trial. Call Thirsty Work on 01392 877 172, email hello@thirstywork.com, or message us and get deliveries direct from our Walsall depot.