The Water Dictionary

Tap Water in GU28

Your water is pumped from underground sources in the greensand at Haslingbourne Southern Water

Tap water in Your water is pumped from underground sources in the greensand at Haslingbourne , supplied by Southern Water, has the character of a blended surface and groundwater supply, with no dominant mineral signature. It's slightly hard, around the national midpoint, with a total hardness of 153 mg/L as CaCO₃.


Mineral composition

mg/L
Calcium~56
Magnesium~3
Sodium24
Sulfate19
Chloride36
Bicarbonate~164
~ Estimated from hardness and ion balance — not directly measured by the water company.

Additional info

Hardness152.8 as CaCO₃
Alkalinity134 as CaCO₃
pH7.41
Conductivity378.77885 µS/cm
SourceSouthern Water
Data year2024

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 Southern Water (2024). Looking for a specific address? Look up your full postcode for the most accurate result.