Wishaw Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.1°Clark8.7°fH4.8°dH
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
204.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
£0.20
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 Wishaw, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wishaw | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -21% |
| Washing Machine | 10.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Wishaw compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Clark° | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wishaw, Scotland | 86.5 mg/L | 6.1° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dalserf, Scotland | 78 mg/L | 5.5° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Larkhall, Scotland | 29 mg/L | 2° | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Motherwell, Scotland | 24.5 mg/L | 1.7° | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Carluke, Scotland | 66 mg/L | 4.6° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Wishaw compares to the United Kingdom average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wishaw | 86.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| United Kingdom National Avg | 183 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| Livingston Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Wishaw's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Wishaw, the North Lanarkshire industrial town in the Clyde–Calder valley south of Motherwell, is served by Scottish Water. Supply to the North Lanarkshire district draws on two principal sources: Daer Reservoir, impounded on the Water of Daer in the Southern Uplands of South Lanarkshire, which drains the rolling Ordovician greywacke and shale hills south of Lanark; and supplementary supply transferred via the Loch Katrine distribution network for periods of peak demand. Water is treated at Daer Water Treatment Works near Elvanfoot before distribution north through the Lanarkshire mains network to Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke. The low TDS of 204.8 mg/L confirms a predominantly upland surface-water character with limited dissolved mineral content.
The Daer Reservoir catchment in the Southern Uplands drains a landscape of Ordovician greywacke, greywacke grit and shale — calcium-poor, silica-rich sedimentary rocks that contribute minimal dissolved calcium carbonate to surface runoff. This geology is typical of the Southern Uplands thrust belt, where ancient deep-water marine sediments have been deformed and metamorphosed into hard, impermeable rock. Rainfall on these uplands produces inherently soft water, picking up negligible hardness. The modest 86.5 mg/L recorded in Wishaw reflects only slight mineral acquisition during transit through the distribution system rather than any significant geological contribution.
At 86.5 mg/L Wishaw's water is soft and the benefits for appliances and housework are tangible. Kettles accumulate very little scale and require descaling only every two to three months. Shower screens remain cleaner for longer and washing-up liquid lathers generously. Combi-boilers and washing machines face minimal limescale risk, extending their operational lifespans beyond national averages. As with all soft Scottish supplies, older metallic pipework may experience slightly elevated corrosion risk — properties with ageing plumbing should have periodic checks. Wishaw's former steel and coalmining heritage may have declined, but its soft water supply remains a practical everyday asset.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Scottish Water from Daer Reservoir in South Lanarkshire and the Loch Katrine supply network — soft upland Southern Uplands reservoir water — produces soft water at 86.5 mg/L (6.1°Clark).