Bognor Regis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Bognor Regis, the West Sussex coastal resort town on the English Channel, is supplied by Southern Water from the South Downs Chalk Aquifer and supplementary West Sussex sources. Southern Water operates licensed chalk borehole abstractions in the South Downs behind Bognor — on the chalk downs escarpment north of Chichester and Arundel — as well as drawing on the coastal plain aquifer resources in the West Sussex Coastal Plain. The South Downs chalk here is a Cretaceous Upper Chalk sequence dipping gently south toward the coast, and groundwater from these chalk boreholes provides the dominant hard water chemistry. This is supplemented by surface water from the River Arun catchment and coastal plain sources. Water is treated at Southern Water's West Sussex facilities before coastal distribution.

Bognor Regis's hardness of 227 mg/L (15.9°Clark) reflects the South Downs Chalk Aquifer dominating Southern Water's coastal supply for West Sussex. The chalk of the South Downs behind Bognor is the same Cretaceous Chalk that forms the white scarp face at Arundel and the downs plateau of the West Sussex plain — a productive, calcium-rich aquifer. The hardness is somewhat lower than Portsmouth/Gosport due to more blending from coastal plain sources and Greensand mixed aquifer contributions. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as hard.

Limescale is a regular household concern in Bognor Regis. At 227 mg/L, limescale forms in kettles within two to three weeks and monthly descaling is advisable. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate deposits steadily — annual boiler servicing and an in-line scale inhibitor are recommended. Showerheads, taps, and bath surfaces develop consistent limescale deposits. Washing-up liquid lathers moderately. Using Calgon monthly in the washing machine and a regular kettle and appliance descaling routine is standard household limescale management for Bognor Regis.