Cleethorpes Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Cleethorpes, the North East Lincolnshire seaside resort at the south side of the Humber estuary, is supplied by Anglian Water from the Lincolnshire Chalk Aquifer and the River Humber/Ancholme catchment system. Anglian Water draws from chalk boreholes in the Cretaceous Chalk of the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire Wolds — the chalk escarpment that runs north from Lincoln through the Lincolnshire Wolds to the Humber — and from the River Ancholme and the Humber valley. The chalk of the Lincolnshire Wolds contributes moderate dissolved calcium, and the Humber catchment carries limestone and chalk derived calcium from the Yorkshire Dales and Wolds. Anglian Water treats and distributes to Cleethorpes and the Grimsby/Cleethorpes supply area from the North East Lincolnshire chalk and river network.

Cleethorpes's hardness of 182.5 mg/L (12.8°Clark) reflects the Lincolnshire Chalk Aquifer and Humber catchment chemistry in the Anglian Water North East Lincolnshire supply zone. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) classifies this supply as moderately hard.

Limescale is a regular household concern in Cleethorpes. At 182.5 mg/L, limescale forms in kettles within three to four weeks and monthly descaling is sensible. Combi-boiler heat exchangers accumulate deposits at a moderate rate; annual servicing is recommended. Showerheads and taps develop consistent deposits. Washing-up liquid lathers moderately. Using Calgon monthly in the washing machine and a regular descaling routine is appropriate limescale management for Cleethorpes households.