Heywood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
estimated · not lab-verified
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
262.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
£0.28
energy & soap waste
Source: DWI Data Portal · Updated 2026
0–99
mg/L
Soft
100–149
mg/L
Slightly Hard
150–199
mg/L
Moderately Hard
200–300
mg/L
Hard
300+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Heywood, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Heywood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 12.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -17% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Heywood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Clark° | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Heywood, North West | 124 mg/L | 8.7° | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Middleton, North West | ≈ 200–300 mg/L | 8.2° | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Rochdale, North West | ≈ 0–100 mg/L | 5.3° | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Blackley, North West | ≈ 0–100 mg/L | 8.8° | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Crumpsall, North West | ≈ 0–100 mg/L | 8.7° | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Heywood compares to the United Kingdom average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Heywood | 124 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| United Kingdom National Avg | 177 mg/L | 🟡 Moderate |
| Skipton Top Rated | 7.1 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Heywood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Residents of Heywood receive their water from United Utilities, drawing primarily from Watergrove Reservoir. This reservoir is situated above Whitworth, and the supply network extends across the West Pennine Moors. The water undergoes treatment before distribution to homes and businesses.
The water's journey begins in a soft Carboniferous Millstone Grit moorland catchment. This geological makeup is the reason the water is characterized as moderately soft, registering at 8.7°Clark. The rocks in this region don't readily dissolve minerals like calcium and magnesium into the water.
Homeowners may notice that this moderately soft water is generally kind to appliances and plumbing, leading to less scale buildup compared to harder water supplies. You might find you use slightly less soap and detergent for washing and cleaning. If you're accustomed to very hard water, the difference in lathering may be noticeable, but it doesn't pose any widespread issues for everyday use.
Geology & Source: soft Carboniferous Millstone Grit moorland catchment; produces moderately soft water
Other North West Water Reports
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