Water hardness in Swinton
267 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Swinton is very hard: 267 mg/L (15.6 gpg · 15 °dH · 26.7 °fH).
Source: Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) (2026-08) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 250–300 mg/L.
Yorkshire Water supplies Swinton 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 267.2 mg/L CaCO₃, ranging from 249.6 to 299.7 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 | 267 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Yorkshire Water |
How Swinton compares
- Tap water in Swinton is 45 % harder than the median of the 471 cities we track in the United Kingdom (185 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 176 of 471 in the United Kingdom (1 = hardest); 62 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Rotherham it is number 2 of 9 cities; the regional median is 242 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Manchester, 8 km away (30 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Cottingham, 131 km away (371 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 Swinton
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 15 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Swinton water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 267 mg/L as CaCO₃ (15.6 gpg, 15 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Swinton 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 Swinton water?
15.6 gpg, equal to 15 °dH, 26.7 °fH or 267 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Swinton?
For 267 mg/L (15 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Swinton?
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) (2026-08). Method: own measurement. Yorkshire Water — domestic drinking water quality (Stream open data, CC BY) · Outdated figure? Tell us