Water hardness in Otley
54 mg/L soft
Tap water in Otley is soft: 54 mg/L (3.1 gpg · 3 °dH · 5.4 °fH).
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 47–60 mg/L.
Otley 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 53.7 mg/L CaCO₃, ranging from 46.9 to 60.4 mg/L between supply zones. Reservoir water from moorland catchments carries little dissolved calcium, which keeps the water soft; scale is modest in kettles and showers, and most households manage without a softener.
UK suppliers report mg/L CaCO₃ and often Clark degrees (1 °Clark = 14.25 mg/L).
Water data
| Total hardness | 54 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Yorkshire Water |
How Otley compares
- Tap water in Otley is 71 % softer than the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 385 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 18 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Leeds it is number 13 of 13 cities; the regional median is 134 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Low Bradley, 20 km away (19 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Bramhope, 6 km away (134 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 Otley
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 3 °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 Otley water hard or soft?
It is soft: 54 mg/L as CaCO₃ (3.1 gpg, 3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Otley 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 Otley water?
3.1 gpg, equal to 3 °dH, 5.4 °fH or 54 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Otley?
For 54 mg/L (3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Otley?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) · Outdated figure? Tell us