The Water Dictionary

Tap Water in BS27

CheddarBristol Water

Tap water in Cheddar, supplied by Bristol Water, has the character of a chalk aquifer source, typical of southern and eastern England. It's slightly hard, around the national midpoint, with a total hardness of 185 mg/L as CaCO₃.


Mineral composition

mg/L
Calcium63
Magnesium7
Sodium15
Sulfate23
Chloride22
Bicarbonate172

Additional info

Hardness185 as CaCO₃
Alkalinity139 as CaCO₃
pH7.7
Conductivity367 µS/cm
SourceBristol Water
Data year2025

What this means

Kettle & appliances

Light limescale will accumulate in kettles and on heating elements over weeks. A periodic descale (monthly or so) will keep things in check, but it's not urgent.

Espresso

Hardness at this level starts to affect espresso machines more noticeably. Scale will form in boilers over months, and the water's buffering will round off some of the brighter acidity in the cup. Regular descaling becomes worthwhile.

Filter & pour-over

Filter coffee starts to lose some of its top-end brightness here. Lighter roasts will taste rounder and less distinctive than they would with softer water, though medium and darker roasts hold up well. The cup won't be flat, but the crispest acidity is softened.

Drinking & cooking

A faint mineral taste may be noticeable if you're paying attention. Vegetables and pulses cook normally; rice and pasta are unaffected.

Bicarbonate

Significant buffering that pushes mash pH high enough to require acid additions for most beer styles other than stouts, and produces espresso that is notably flat and heavy, with muted acidity and a tendency toward a uniform, opaque flavour profile.


Closest water profiles


Nearby areas


Data sourced from Bristol Water (2025). Looking for a specific address? Look up your full postcode for the most accurate result.