The hardness of water is dependant on the nature of the source. The majority of our water originates from chalk aquifers where it picks up natural minerals, such as calcium carbonate - chalk hardness.

On boiling your water you may notice that this calcium carbonate is deposited in the form of scale that will appear inside your metal kettle. If you have a plastic kettle, the water may look cloudy when you boil it – this does not mean that there is anything wrong with either the kettle or the water. When hard water is boiled in some plastic kettles, the limescale does not adhere to the walls very well, so it stays in the water or floats on the surface.

What can I do about hard water?

Levels of hardness do not generally change that much, but the effects may be more noticeable due to the new kettle designs that boil water quicker. Here are a few tips to improve your ‘cuppa’:

Rinse the kettle out before use and leave it empty when not in use
Do not re-boil water
De-scaling products are expensive. You can remove limescale from your kettle by diluting 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in each pint of water and leave this solution in the kettle for 4 hours (or overnight). Empty and rinse the kettle thoroughly before use
Teapots make a better cup of tea than putting a teabag in a mug

When hard water evaporates it can leave behind limescale on your sanitary wear. Soap also leaves behind a scum when used in hard water. Here are some tips to keep your bathroom sparkling:

Acidic toilet cleaners will remove the deposit from your toilet, but follow the instructions carefully
Wipe your shower, bath and basin dry after use
Ensure your taps don't drip; they waste water and cause limescale to build up around the spout

Customers that find difficulties with the hardness of the water may wish to consider some form of treatment, such as: water softeners; water filters or water conditioners. British Water is an organisation that offers impartial information on the types of domestic treatment available.
To find out more visit: www.britishwater.co.uk

If you are considering installing a water softener always remember that it is essential to have one tap supplying unsoftened water for cooking and drinking, because softeners can significantly increase the level of sodium in the water. Water softeners must be fitted to comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

Customers in receipt of a new washing machine or dishwasher are advised to set the machine at the correct water hardness setting. By finding your location in the table below, you will be able to see the latest hardness levels in Clarke, French (FH) and German (DH) degrees.

Folkestone & Dover Water Services Limited - Water Hardness Levels

Area/Parish	mg/l CaCO3	mg/l Ca	Clarke	French Deg.	German Deg.
FD21 Denge
Greatstone – Littlestone – Lydd – New Romney - St Marys' in the Marsh	133	53	9	13	8
FD22 Dover
Alkham Valley - Dover – East Langdon – Guston – Kingsdown – Martin – Martin Mill – Ringwould – St. Margaret’s at Cliffe – West Langdon – Whitfield	300	120	21	30	17
FD23 Folkestone & Hythe
Cheriton – Folkestone – Newington – St. Mary’s Bay – Sandgate	318	127	22	32	17
FD24 Chalksole
Aylesham – Barham (East) – Barfrestone – Coldred – Elvington – Ewell Minnis – Eythorne – Kearsney – Lydden – Out Elmstead – Shepherdswell – Womenswold – Woolage	307	123	21	31	17
FD25 Paddlesworth
Barham(West) – Burmarsh - Capel – Densole – Denton – Dymchurch - Elham – Etchinghill – Hawkinge – Hougham – Hythe - Lyminge – Lympne – Postling – Rhodes Minnis – Saltwood – Part of Sellindge – Stanford South – Swingfield – West Hythe - Wootton Village	308	125	22	31	17
FD26 Farthing Common
Farthing Common – Skeete – Stanford North – Stowting – Swan Lane, Sellindge – Woodland	307	123	21	31	17

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