Redditch Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Redditch, the new town in north Worcestershire in the Arrow valley south of Birmingham, is supplied by Severn Trent Water. Supply is drawn from a combination of the Elan Valley Reservoir system in mid-Wales — conveyed via the West Midlands aqueduct to Frankley Water Treatment Works — and from the River Severn catchment and local Triassic Sherwood Sandstone groundwater sources in the south Worcestershire area. Redditch's position on the southern margin of the West Midlands conurbation means it draws on a supply blend with greater Severn catchment and local sandstone groundwater influence than central Birmingham, raising the hardness above the very soft pure Elan Valley supply value. Redditch was designated a new town in 1964 and substantially expanded in the 1970s and 1980s.

Redditch's hardness of 136.5 mg/L (9.6°Clark) reflects the blended supply from the Elan Valley, River Severn, and local Triassic sandstone groundwater. The Triassic Bunter Sandstone aquifer beneath south Worcestershire and north Worcestershire contributes moderate dissolved calcium to the groundwater blend, supplementing the very soft Elan Valley and the moderately mineralised Severn surface water. The Severn at its upper catchment tributaries in Worcestershire also carries some dissolved limestone calcium from the Cotswold and Malvern Hills drainage. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as moderately soft to moderately hard.

Limescale is a moderate household concern in Redditch. At 136.5 mg/L, limescale forms gradually in kettles and descaling every one to two months is typically sufficient. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate deposits at a moderate rate and annual servicing with a limescale check is sensible. Showerheads and taps develop modest deposits. Washing-up liquid lathers reasonably well. Adding Calgon monthly to the washing machine and occasional kettle descaling with white vinegar provides adequate limescale management for most Redditch households.