Ebbw Vale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6°Clark8.5°fH4.8°dH
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
160.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
£0.19
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 Ebbw Vale, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ebbw Vale | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ebbw Vale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Clark° | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ebbw Vale, Wales | 85 mg/L | 6° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Brynmawr, Wales | 137.5 mg/L | 9.6° | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Tredegar, Wales | 110 mg/L | 7.7° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Abertillery, Wales | 77 mg/L | 5.4° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Bargoed, Wales | 115 mg/L | 8.1° | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ebbw Vale compares to the United Kingdom average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ebbw Vale | 85 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 Ebbw Vale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ebbw Vale (Glyn Ebwy), in the Blaenau Gwent county borough at the head of the Ebbw Fawr valley in south-east Wales, the former home of the Ebbw Vale steelworks, is supplied by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water from upland reservoirs in the Ebbw Fawr and Sirhowy catchments. Welsh Water impounds moorland streams on the Carboniferous Millstone Grit and upper Coal Measures of the Ebbw headwaters — the bare upland moorland at the head of the south Wales coalfield valleys. These Carboniferous rocks contribute very little dissolved calcium, producing very soft water typical of the south Wales valleys supply. The upland reservoir supply for Ebbw Vale and the Blaenau Gwent valley towns drains the high moorland above the coalfield, where the ancient Carboniferous rocks are calcium-poor.
Ebbw Vale's soft water — 85 mg/L (6.0°Clark) — reflects the Carboniferous Millstone Grit and Coal Measures upland reservoir catchments of the Ebbw valley in Welsh Water's south-east Wales supply zone. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as soft.
Limescale is very minor in Ebbw Vale. At 85 mg/L, limescale builds slowly — kettles need descaling every two to three months. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate minimal deposits; annual servicing is routine. Showerheads and taps remain largely clear. Washing-up liquid lathers well with the soft Welsh Water valley supply. Limescale is not a significant domestic concern for Ebbw Vale households.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water from upland reservoirs in the Ebbw Fawr and Sirhowy catchments — Ebbw Vale's Blaenau Gwent ironworks valley position draws on Welsh Water's very soft upland reservoir supply from the Carboniferous Millstone Grit and Coal Measures moorland of the south Wales valleys, producing soft water at 85 mg/L (6.0°Clark).