Water hardness in Limavady
92 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Limavady is moderately hard: 92 mg/L (5.4 gpg · 5.2 °dH · 9.2 °fH).
Source: NI Water, customer tap results 2024,2025 (OpenDataNI, OGL v3.0) (2025-12) · data checked 2026-10-19
Limavady is supplied by NI Water, which draws almost all of its water (99.9%) from surface sources: loughs, rivers and upland impounding reservoirs, with Lough Neagh alone providing about 41% of the country's supply. Reported hardness is 92.4 mg/L CaCO₃. Hardness varies with the catchment each treatment works draws from; 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 | 92 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Northern Ireland Water |
How Limavady compares
- Tap water in Limavady is 50 % softer than the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 329 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 30 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Northern Ireland it is number 61 of 110 cities; the regional median is 100 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Dungiven, 13 km away (70 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Castlerock, 15 km away (125 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 Limavady
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °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 Limavady water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 92 mg/L as CaCO₃ (5.4 gpg, 5.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Limavady 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 Limavady water?
5.4 gpg, equal to 5.2 °dH, 9.2 °fH or 92 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Limavady?
For 92 mg/L (5.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Limavady?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: NI Water, customer tap results 2024,2025 (OpenDataNI, OGL v3.0) (2025-12). Method: own measurement. NI Water, customer tap results 2024,2025 (OpenDataNI, OGL v3.0) · Outdated figure? Tell us