Paignton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Paignton, on the western shore of Tor Bay in the Borough of Torbay in south Devon, is supplied by South West Water from the River Dart catchment and Dartmoor reservoir sources. South West Water's south Devon supply draws from Burrator Reservoir on the south-west fringe of Dartmoor and Tottiford, Kennick, and Trenchford reservoirs in the Dartmoor foothills near Hennock, feeding the Torbay and south Devon distribution network. Dartmoor is predominantly a Variscan Granite moorland, which drains as very soft water, but the river catchments feeding the foothills reservoirs also traverse Devonian Limestone and Devonian Sandstone (Old Red Sandstone) country at lower elevations in the south Devon valleys. The limestone contributions elevate the hardness above the granite baseline.

Paignton's hardness of 204.5 mg/L (14.3°Clark) reflects the blend of soft Dartmoor Granite and Devonian Limestone catchment contributions in the South West Water supply. The Devonian Limestone of south Devon — including the limestone of the Torbay coast at Berry Head near Brixham, and inland Devonian reef limestone formations — contributes moderate dissolved calcium to surface water and groundwater in the Torbay hinterland. The blend of very soft granite moorland and moderately hard Devonian limestone catchment water produces the moderately hard result. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as moderately hard.

Limescale is a regular household concern in Paignton. At 204.5 mg/L, limescale forms in kettles within three to four weeks and monthly descaling is advisable. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate deposits; annual servicing with a limescale check and an in-line scale inhibitor are recommended. Showerheads, taps, and surfaces in holiday properties and rental accommodation in Torbay need regular descaling. Washing-up liquid lathers moderately. Calgon monthly in the washing machine and a consistent descaling routine is appropriate for Paignton households.