Water hardness in Barnsley
115 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Barnsley is moderately hard: 115 mg/L (6.7 gpg · 6.4 °dH · 11.5 °fH).
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 54–285 mg/L.
Barnsley is supplied by Yorkshire Water, whose supply comes from a mix of upland reservoirs, rivers and boreholes; the company says water in the west comes off the moors while the east relies mostly on boreholes and groundwater. Reported hardness is 115.0 mg/L CaCO₃, ranging from 54.2 to 284.7 mg/L between supply zones. The supply here blends softer reservoir water with harder borehole or river water; it sits in the moderately hard band, where limescale appears on kettles and shower heads over months and dishwasher salt helps.
UK suppliers report mg/L CaCO₃ and often Clark degrees (1 °Clark = 14.25 mg/L).
Water data
| Total hardness | 115 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Yorkshire Water |
How Barnsley compares
- Tap water in Barnsley is 38 % softer than the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 309 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 34 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Barnsley it is number 8 of 11 cities; the regional median is 227 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Dodworth, 3 km away (76 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Darton, 5 km away (227 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United Kingdom →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Barnsley
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 6 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Barnsley water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 115 mg/L as CaCO₃ (6.7 gpg, 6.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Barnsley 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 Barnsley water?
6.7 gpg, equal to 6.4 °dH, 11.5 °fH or 115 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Barnsley?
For 115 mg/L (6.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Barnsley?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
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