Water hardness in Scarborough
204 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Scarborough is very hard: 204 mg/L (11.9 gpg · 11.4 °dH · 20.4 °fH).
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-09) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 165–257 mg/L.
Yorkshire Water supplies Scarborough from a network that blends reservoir, river and borehole sources, and the company links harder water in the east of the region to its borehole and groundwater supplies. Reported hardness is 204.0 mg/L CaCO₃, ranging from 165.3 to 257.2 mg/L between supply zones. The harder supply reflects borehole and groundwater sources, which pick up calcium and magnesium from the rock; it is hard to very hard water, so scale builds quickly on kettles, showers and heating elements and shortens appliance life unless treated.
UK suppliers report mg/L CaCO₃ and often Clark degrees (1 °Clark = 14.25 mg/L).
Water data
| Total hardness | 204 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Yorkshire Water |
How Scarborough compares
- Tap water in Scarborough is 11 % harder than the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 224 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 53 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Scarborough it is number 3 of 5 cities; the regional median is 204 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Sleights, 26 km away (60 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Filey, 11 km away (257 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United Kingdom →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Scarborough
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Scarborough water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 204 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.9 gpg, 11.4 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Scarborough 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 Scarborough water?
11.9 gpg, equal to 11.4 °dH, 20.4 °fH or 204 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Scarborough?
For 204 mg/L (11.4 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Scarborough?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
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