Shirebrook Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13°Clark18.6°fH10.4°dH
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
495.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
£0.42
energy & soap waste
Source: DWI Data Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Shirebrook, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Shirebrook | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -44% |
| Water Heater | 8.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Shirebrook compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Clark° | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shirebrook, East Midlands | 186 mg/L | 13° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Mansfield Woodhouse, East Midlands | 187.5 mg/L | 13.2° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Mansfield, East Midlands | 188 mg/L | 13.2° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Bolsover, East Midlands | 141 mg/L | 9.9° | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Sutton in Ashfield, East Midlands | 106.5 mg/L | 7.5° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Shirebrook compares to the United Kingdom average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shirebrook | 186 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| United Kingdom National Avg | 183 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| Livingston Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Shirebrook's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Severn Trent Water supplies Shirebrook, the east Derbyshire town near Bolsover — a former colliery town where Shirebrook Colliery was one of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire's most productive pits until its closure in 1993, and where the Shirebrook and Langwith industrial area has been partially redeveloped, with the town sitting astride the old Derbyshire–Nottinghamshire coalfield border — from Derwent Valley Reservoirs in the Peak District blended with Permo-Triassic Sherwood Sandstone (Bunter Sandstone) groundwater in the east Derbyshire Bolsover distribution zone, treated at Bamford Water Treatment Works. At 186 mg/L (13.0°Clark), Shirebrook's water is hard — reflecting a significant Permo-Triassic Sherwood Sandstone and Coal Measures groundwater fraction in the east Derbyshire supply blend.
Shirebrook lies in the east Derbyshire Coal Measures and Permo-Triassic Sherwood Sandstone plain where Severn Trent blends soft Derwent Valley Peak District reservoir supply with a substantial proportion of Triassic Sandstone and Coal Measures groundwater. The Triassic and Coal Measures fraction elevates hardness to 186 mg/L with TDS 495.2 mg/L — hard water with an elevated TDS/hardness ratio (2.66) consistent with sulphate from the Coal Measures mudstone and Triassic Keuper Marl in the east Derbyshire supply zone at Bolsover, Shirebrook, and Clowne.
At 186 mg/L, limescale is a consistent household challenge in Shirebrook. Kettles should be descaled monthly. The combi-boiler benefits from a fitted scale inhibitor and annual professional servicing. Washing-up liquid requires more product per wash. Taps and shower heads develop visible white limescale deposits within one to two weeks; a fortnightly wipe with white vinegar or a proprietary descaling product keeps fittings clean. The hard Triassic Sandstone-blend supply at Shirebrook is characteristic of the east Derbyshire colliery belt — the Permo-Triassic plain that underlies the old pithead communities delivering consistently mineralised water to households across the post-industrial Bolsover district.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Severn Trent Water from Derwent Valley Reservoirs blended with Permo-Triassic Sherwood Sandstone groundwater in the east Derbyshire Bolsover distribution zone — treated at Bamford Water Treatment Works — produces hard water at 186 mg/L (13.0°Clark).