Water hardness in Barnoldswick
17 mg/L soft
Tap water in Barnoldswick is soft: 17 mg/L (1 gpg · 1 °dH · 1.7 °fH).
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 16–18 mg/L.
The tap water in Barnoldswick comes from Yorkshire Water, which draws on moorland reservoirs in the west, rivers, and boreholes that are concentrated in the east of the region. Reported hardness is 17.2 mg/L CaCO₃, ranging from 16.0 to 18.2 mg/L between supply zones. Reservoir water from moorland catchments carries little dissolved calcium, which keeps the water soft; limescale is minimal at this level, so kettles and heaters stay largely clear and a softener would add little.
UK suppliers report mg/L CaCO₃ and often Clark degrees (1 °Clark = 14.25 mg/L).
Water data
| Total hardness | 17 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Yorkshire Water |
How Barnoldswick compares
- Tap water in Barnoldswick is 91 % softer than the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 466 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 1 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Silsden, 16 km away (49 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United Kingdom →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Barnoldswick
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Barnoldswick water hard or soft?
It is soft: 17 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1 gpg, 1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Barnoldswick safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. UK suppliers report mg/L CaCO₃ and often Clark degrees (1 °Clark = 14.25 mg/L).
How many grains per gallon is Barnoldswick water?
1 gpg, equal to 1 °dH, 1.7 °fH or 17 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Barnoldswick?
For 17 mg/L (1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Barnoldswick?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-09). Method: own measurement. Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) · Outdated figure? Tell us