Redcar Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Redcar, in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland on the North Sea coast at the south side of the Tees estuary, 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 Silurian greywacke and Carboniferous moorland water via the Tees Transfer to the south Tees valley, and Northumbrian Water draws from the Tees catchment treated at the Loftus and Ingleby Barwick Water Treatment Works. The Tees drains the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales limestone country in its upper reaches, accumulating moderate dissolved calcium from Carboniferous Limestone, before dilution with the soft Kielder Transfer supply. Redcar receives the blended Tees valley supply across the south Teesside coastal plain.

Redcar's hardness of 114.5 mg/L (8.0°Clark) reflects the blend of very soft Kielder Transfer and moderate Tees valley Pennine limestone contribution in the Northumbrian Water Teesside coastal supply zone. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as moderately soft.

Limescale is a moderate concern in Redcar. At 114.5 mg/L, limescale forms gradually — kettles need descaling every one to two months. 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 Redcar households.