How Andover compares
At 298 mg/L (20.9 °Clark), Andover is 23% above the median of the 411 English towns on this map (243 mg/L). It ranks 75 of 411 for hardness (1 is the hardest).
Water hardness in Andover
Andover has hard water: expect visible limescale and plan to descale regularly.
Data
| Value | 298 mg/L calcium carbonate 20.9 °Clark, 16.7 °dH |
|---|---|
| Band | hard |
| Area | Hampshire |
| Population | 42,276 |
| Water company | Southern Water |
| Postcode checked | SP10 3GT (ZH524) |
| Checked | 21 Oct 2026 |
| From the source | “"waterZoneReference":"ZH524","totalHardness":119.2 (Cal mg/l),"supplySource":"Your water is pumped from underground sources in the chalk f"” |
What it means for your home
Hard water drops a lot of scale when it is heated: in the kettle, the shower head and the element of an immersion heater or washing machine. Chalky rings on taps and spotty glasses are normal.
Set the dishwasher for hard water, dose detergent for your band and descale regularly. If you have a combi boiler, ask about a scale reducer at its next service. Hard water is safe to drink.
How often to descale
As a rule of thumb for hard water, kettles and shower heads need descaling every three or four weeks. Descale whenever you see scale building up.
Common questions
Is hard water bad for you?
No. Hard water carries calcium and magnesium, minerals the body uses. Whether tap water is safe depends on germs and pollutants, which water companies test for, not on hardness.
Do I need a water softener in Andover?
The water company's figure for Andover is 298 mg/L (20.9 °Clark), which is hard water. Usually not straight away. Set the dishwasher, dose detergent for your band and descale regularly. Get quotes for a softener only if scale is clearly damaging your boiler or appliances.
How do I find the value for my address?
Use your water company's postcode checker. Hardness can differ between districts, so check your own postcode, or test with strips or a drop test.
Nearby towns
Winchester 20 km Newbury 24 km Salisbury 26 km Thatcham 27 km Eastleigh 29 km Totton 33 km Southampton 35 km Hythe 40 km