Water hardness in St. Helens
190 mg/L very hard
Tap water in St. Helens is very hard: 190 mg/L (11.1 gpg · 10.6 °dH · 19 °fH).
Source: Southern Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2025-10) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 164–215 mg/L.
UK suppliers report mg/L CaCO₃ and often Clark degrees (1 °Clark = 14.25 mg/L).
Water data
| Total hardness | 190 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Southern Water |
How St. Helens compares
- Tap water in St. Helens is close to the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 231 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 51 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Isle of Wight it is number 14 of 14 cities; the regional median is 268 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Hastings, 120 km away (81 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Ryde, 5 km away (249 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 St. Helens
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H03 |
| Miele | 11 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| 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 St. Helens water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 190 mg/L as CaCO₃ (11.1 gpg, 10.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in St. Helens 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 St. Helens water?
11.1 gpg, equal to 10.6 °dH, 19 °fH or 190 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in St. Helens?
For 190 mg/L (10.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in St. Helens?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Southern Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2025-10). Method: own measurement. Southern Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) · Outdated figure? Tell us