Farnborough Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.5°Clark19.3°fH10.8°dH
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
442.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
£0.44
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 Farnborough, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Farnborough | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -62% |
| Washing Machine | 6.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -46% |
| Water Heater | 7.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Farnborough compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Clark° | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Farnborough, South East | 192.5 mg/L | 13.5° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Frimley, South East | 300 mg/L | 21° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Camberley, South East | 284.5 mg/L | 20° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Aldershot, South East | 200.5 mg/L | 14.1° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Sandhurst, South East | 289.5 mg/L | 20.3° | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Farnborough compares to the United Kingdom average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Farnborough | 192.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| United Kingdom National Avg | 183 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| Livingston Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Farnborough's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Farnborough, the market town in the Borough of Rushmoor in north-east Hampshire, is supplied by Thames Water from the combined North Downs Chalk Aquifer and Thames reservoir network. Thames Water's south-west distribution boundary extends into north-east Hampshire, and the Farnborough supply draws on chalk borehole abstractions in the chalk country of north-east Hampshire and Surrey — including the Hog's Back chalk ridge near Guildford and the chalk dip slope extending into Aldershot and Farnborough. The chalk of the North Downs gently dips south-west into north-east Hampshire, and Thames Water licensed boreholes in this chalk produce moderately hard groundwater. This chalk supply is distributed through the north-east Hampshire network to Farnborough, with Thames reservoir contributions providing network dilution and balancing.
Farnborough's hardness of 192.5 mg/L (13.5°Clark) reflects the North Downs Chalk Aquifer and blended Thames supply chemistry in the north-east Hampshire distribution zone. The chalk at depth beneath the Farnborough/Aldershot area is a Cretaceous Upper Chalk that dissolves moderate to high calcium concentrations in groundwater. The blend of local chalk groundwater and Thames reservoir supply places Farnborough in the moderately hard range. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as moderately hard.
Limescale is a regular household concern in Farnborough. At 192.5 mg/L, limescale forms in kettles within three to four weeks and monthly descaling is advisable. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate deposits steadily — annual servicing with a limescale check and fitting an in-line scale inhibitor are recommended. Showerheads, taps, and shower screens develop consistent deposits. Washing-up liquid lathers moderately. Using Calgon monthly in the washing machine and maintaining a regular descaling routine is appropriate limescale management for Farnborough households on the north-east Hampshire chalk supply.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Thames Water from the North Downs Chalk Aquifer and Thames storage reservoirs — Farnborough's north-east Hampshire position on the Bagshot Beds draws on Thames Water chalk borehole supply from the Surrey and Hampshire chalk hills, producing moderately hard water at 192.5 mg/L (13.5°Clark).