A NEW map reveals how Swindon compares with the rest of the UK when it comes to hard water.

And the town's rating alongside the South East of the country as an area where the water is 'hard to very hard' could be a concern for people living here.

Hard water can damage skin, causing acne and signs of ageing.

It has a high number of dissolved minerals, predominantly magnesium and calcium. Water is naturally soft when it falls from the sky and gains hardness after coming into contact with the ground.

If rainwater lands in an area with porous rock such as limestone, the water penetrates the ground and as it passes through collects and dissolves particles and minerals such as calcium and magnesium, gaining its hardness.

Areas such as the South East and London have high levels of hard water, which causes limescale to build in household appliances such as washing machines.

Swindon Advertiser:

Hard water is measured parts per million (PPM) and how many particles of hardness are dissolved in the water per million particles gives a rating.

Swindon has a measurement of 273ppm, which means the water is very hard in the town.

Reading's, meanwhile, measures 317ppm, while a 'medium to hard' area such as Taunton further West has less than 200ppm of hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Towards the Midlands in Worcester, its water is relatively soft at 60ppm - the same as Pembrokeshire.

These areas are among the safest when it comes to drinking water from the tap.

In large swathes of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the water is soft.

For residents living in areas where the water is hard, it is highly recommended that a softner is used to help reduce levels of limescale.

When hard water molecules are warmed up in kettles, dishwashers and any home appliances, the hardness can precipitate as scale.

This in turn can cause damage to pipes, which can lead to expensive household appliances such as boilers breaking and having to be replaced.

Common hard water and limescale issues are:

  • Blocked valves
  • Less efficient appliances
  • Higher electricity and gas bills
  • Limescale build-up
  • Longer cleaning times
  • Boiler breakdown

Data was supplied by Thames Water and Aquacure.