Catterick Garrison Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Yorkshire Water supplies Catterick Garrison, the largest single-site Army garrison in the United Kingdom in North Yorkshire — a military community of barracks, housing, and training facilities in the Vale of Mowbray serving over 13,000 service personnel and families — from the River Ure and Vale of Mowbray supply blend in the north Yorkshire distribution zone, treated at Leeming Bar Water Treatment Works near Bedale. At 127.5 mg/L (8.9°Clark), Catterick Garrison's water is slightly hard — reflecting moderate calcium contributions from the Permo-Triassic Sandstone (Sherwood Sandstone) of the Vale of Mowbray and the Magnesian Limestone of the east Yorkshire lowland fringe.

Catterick Garrison lies in the Vale of Mowbray where the Permo-Triassic Sandstone aquifer underlies the lowland farmland between the Pennine foothills and the North York Moors. Yorkshire Water draws from the River Ure and Triassic groundwater sources in the Leeming Bar supply zone, producing 127.5 mg/L with TDS 325.7 mg/L at Catterick Garrison — slightly hard water consistent with the vale of Mowbray supply corridor from Northallerton through Leeming Bar and Catterick to Richmond in the same Yorkshire Water north Riding distribution network.

At 127.5 mg/L, limescale is a moderate and manageable domestic concern in Catterick Garrison. Descaling the kettle every six to eight weeks is typically adequate. The combi-boiler benefits from a standard scale inhibitor as a sensible precaution. Washing-up liquid lathers adequately at everyday quantities. Taps and shower heads develop moderate deposits over several weeks; a monthly wipe with white vinegar keeps fixtures in good condition. The slightly hard Vale of Mowbray supply at Catterick is comfortable for domestic use — providing practical, moderate-hardness water to the large service community that makes this garrison one of Britain's busiest military settlements.