HOW HARD IS MY

FILTERED WATER

A GUIDE TO HARD WATER AREAS

If you own, or are considering purchasing a Filtrata 4 in 1 Boiling Water Tap it’s extremely important to change the filter on your boiler to prevent damage and breakage. The frequency of changing your filter depends on the hardness of the water in your area. If you live in a hard water area the filter should be changed every three months. For medium water areas, the filter should be replaced every four months and for soft water areas, it’s recommended to change the filter every six months. If you fail to adhere to the recommended schedule this will void the warranty. 

WHAT IS HARD WATER?

Hard water contains high mineral contents such as, magnesium and calcium. These minerals are formed when water comes into contact with the ground and rocks causing it to turn into hard water.  

Water is most likely to be hard if it comes from a source near limestone or chalk rocks. If water comes into contact with non-porous rocks such as granite, the water cannot penetrate the ground or pick up any minerals causing it to stay soft. 

The South East of England and London water hardness levels are predominantly high. Scotland, Ireland and Wales are soft water areas. 

What issues may occur in hard water areas?

As hard water makes its way into our homes, it causes a build-up of limescale in kitchen appliances such as kettles and taps. This creates an unattractive surface and makes it harder to clean.

If left untreated it can cause damage to pipes and plumbing, reducing overall effectiveness and heat retention - increasing gas and electricity bills. In the extreme, it could create blockages that break appliances and even your boiler, which can be costly. 

Read below to discover more issues limescale can cause.

  • Blocked valves 
  • Reduced bores in pipework 
  • Less efficient appliances 
  • Increased electricity and gas bills
  • Harder to clean appliances 
  • Boiler breakage 
  • Unattractive surface appearance
  • Limescale build-up 

How is hard water measured?

Hard water is measured in parts per million (PPM) and is defined by how many particles of hardness are dissolved in the water per million particles.  Please see below, the hard water ratings. 

PPM WATER HARDNESS
0 – 50 PPM Soft
51 – 100 PPM Moderately soft
101 – 150 PPM Slightly hard
151 – 200 PPM Moderately hard
201 – 275 PPM Hard
276 – 350 PPM Very hard
350+ PPM Extremely hard

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