How Cheltenham compares
At 193 mg/L (13.6 °Clark), Cheltenham is 20% below the median of the 411 English towns on this map (243 mg/L). It ranks 257 of 411 for hardness (1 is the hardest).
Water hardness in Cheltenham
Cheltenham has moderately hard water: some limescale, but easy to keep on top of.
Data
| Value | 193 mg/L calcium carbonate 13.6 °Clark, 10.8 °dH |
|---|---|
| Band | moderately hard |
| Area | Gloucestershire |
| Population | 118,836 |
| Water company | Severn Trent Water |
| Postcode checked | GL50 3PQ (Cheltenham North) |
| Checked | 21 Oct 2026 |
| From the source | “"hardnessClark":"13.57","hardnessGerman":"10.85","hardnessFrench":"19.38","level":"Hard"” |
What it means for your home
Moderately hard water leaves some scale, but slowly. The kettle and shower head need descaling now and then, and that is usually all.
The right detergent dose and a correctly set dishwasher are enough for most homes. A softener is rarely needed.
How often to descale
As a rule of thumb for moderately hard water, kettles and shower heads need descaling every six to eight 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 Cheltenham?
The water company's figure for Cheltenham is 193 mg/L (13.6 °Clark), which is moderately 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
Tewkesbury 12 km Gloucester 12 km Stroud 19 km Cirencester 21 km Evesham 23 km Great Malvern 29 km Worcester 34 km Droitwich 41 km