How Preston compares
At 81 mg/L (5.7 °Clark), Preston is 67% below the median of the 411 English towns on this map (243 mg/L). It ranks 334 of 411 for hardness (1 is the hardest).
Water hardness in Preston
Preston has soft water: limescale is hardly a problem here.
Data
| Value | 81 mg/L calcium carbonate 5.7 °Clark, 4.5 °dH |
|---|---|
| Band | soft |
| Area | Lancashire |
| Population | 313,332 |
| Water company | United Utilities |
| Postcode checked | PR1 1BA (Preston Cow Hill) |
| Checked | 21 Oct 2026 |
| From the source | “"zoneName":"Preston Cow Hill","Hardness Level":"Mod. Soft","Hardness Clark":"5.67" (unit Clark)” |
What it means for your home
Soft water leaves almost no scale. Kettles, showers and appliances stay clean for a long time.
You do not need a softener. Use a low detergent dose: more only leaves residue.
How often to descale
As a rule of thumb for soft water, kettles and shower heads need descaling every three or four months. 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 Preston?
The water company's figure for Preston is 81 mg/L (5.7 °Clark), which is soft 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
Leyland 7 km Chorley 14 km Blackburn 15 km Fylde 16 km Darwen 17 km Lytham St Annes 19 km Accrington 23 km Blackpool 23 km