Tap Water in SW6
Fulham — Thames Water
Tap water in Fulham, supplied by Thames Water, has the character of a chalk aquifer source, typical of southern and eastern England. It's moderately hard, in the upper half of the national range, with a total hardness of 254 mg/L as CaCO₃. Bicarbonate is high at 253 mg/L: this water suits dark-roasted, milk-based coffee well, but will strip the acidity from lighter roasts and pour-over brewing.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 95 |
| Magnesium | 4 |
| Sodium | 25 |
| Sulfate | 42 |
| Chloride | 35 |
| Bicarbonate | 253 |
Additional info
| Hardness | 254 as CaCO₃ |
| Alkalinity | 207 as CaCO₃ |
| pH | 7.8 |
| Conductivity | 538 µS/cm |
| Source | Thames Water |
| Data year | 2024 |
What this means
Kettle & appliances
Limescale buildup is noticeable and ongoing. Kettles will develop visible deposits within weeks, and heating elements in boilers and washing machines will need periodic attention. A water softener or scale inhibitor is worth considering.
Espresso
This water will scale espresso machines meaningfully. Flavour-wise, the high mineral content tends to flatten acidity and produce a heavier, less nuanced shot with lighter roasts. Darker roasts and milk-based drinks fare better: the body and density that hard water produces can carry well through milk. Regular descaling is essential, and filtration or blending with softer water is worth considering.
Filter & pour-over
The effect is more noticeable here than in espresso, because the higher water-to-coffee ratio amplifies the mineral influence. Lighter roasts will taste muted and uniform; origin character gets buried. Darker roasts hold up better, but the cup will lack the clarity that filter brewing is best at producing.
Drinking & cooking
The mineral taste is perceptible. Some people prefer it; others find it chalky. Hard water can affect how well soap and detergent lather, and it leaves visible residue on glass and stainless steel.
Bicarbonate
Heavily buffered water that resists pH change substantially: suited only to the darkest, most roast-forward beer styles (and even then may need dilution), while espresso at this level will taste dull, chalky, and lacking definition, with almost all origin character neutralised by the alkalinity.
Closest water profiles
Nearby areas
Data sourced from Thames Water (2024). Looking for a specific address? Look up your full postcode for the most accurate result.