The Water Dictionary

Tap Water in TN14

How Green Supply ZoneSES Water

Tap water in How Green Supply Zone, supplied by SES 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 206 mg/L as CaCO₃.


Mineral composition

mg/L
Calcium83
Magnesium2
Sodium12
Sulfate21
Chloride27
Bicarbonate193

Additional info

Hardness206 as CaCO₃
Alkalinity193 as CaCO₃
pH7.48
Conductivity433.5 µS/cm
SourceSES Water
Data year2024

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

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