Billingham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.9°Clark14.2°fH7.9°dH
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
361.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
£0.32
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 Billingham, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Billingham | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -42% |
| Washing Machine | 8.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -30% |
| Water Heater | 9.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -34% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Billingham compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Clark° | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Billingham, North East | 141.5 mg/L | 9.9° | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Stockton-on-Tees, North East | 100.5 mg/L | 7.1° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Thornaby-on-Tees, North East | 195 mg/L | 13.7° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Middlesbrough, North East | 100 mg/L | 7° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Yarm, North East | 193 mg/L | 13.5° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Billingham compares to the United Kingdom average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Billingham | 141.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| United Kingdom National Avg | 183 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| Livingston Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Billingham's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Billingham, in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees on the north Teesside plain, is supplied by Northumbrian Water from the Kielder Transfer Scheme via the River Tees and the Tees valley supply network. Kielder Reservoir delivers very soft upland water via the North Tyne to Tees Transfer, and Northumbrian Water abstracts from the Tees below Eggleston and Cow Green Reservoir in the North Pennines — the upper Tees draining the Carboniferous Limestone and Whin Sill country of Teesdale. The blend of very soft Kielder transfer and moderate Pennine limestone Tees catchment contribution produces moderately soft water. Billingham receives the Tees valley blend treated at Northumbrian Water's Tees valley works and distributed through the north Teesside plain supply network.
Billingham's hardness of 141.5 mg/L (9.9°Clark) reflects the blend of very soft Kielder Transfer and moderate Tees valley Carboniferous limestone contribution in Northumbrian Water's north Teesside supply zone. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as moderately soft.
Limescale is a moderate concern in Billingham. At 141.5 mg/L, limescale forms gradually in kettles and descaling every one to two months is typically sufficient. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate modest deposits; annual servicing is sensible. Showerheads and taps develop light deposits. Washing-up liquid lathers reasonably well. A monthly Calgon tablet in the washing machine and a regular kettle descale is adequate limescale management for most Billingham households.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Northumbrian Water from the Kielder Transfer Scheme via the River Tees — Billingham's Teesside Stockton-on-Tees position draws on Northumbrian Water's blended Kielder and Tees valley supply, producing moderately soft water at 141.5 mg/L (9.9°Clark).