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Regional water quality guide

Tap Water in YorkshirePFAS notice

Yorkshire water is soft in the west to hard in the east (45–250 mg/L CaCO₃). Supplied by Yorkshire Water. Enter your postcode for your exact zone report.

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Water hardness
Soft In The West To Hard In The East
PFAS notice active
Water companies
Yorkshire Water
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Main water sources
Pennine moorland reservoirs for western Yorkshire; chalk gro…
Surface & groundwater

Yorkshire Water serves the entire Yorkshire region — one of the largest water company service areas by geography in England. The company supplies approximately 5.3 million customers across South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, and the East Riding of Yorkshire. Yorkshire's water comes from two very different types of source, which produce dramatically different water quality characteristics.

Western and southern Yorkshire — Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield — are supplied from Pennine moorland reservoirs. The Pennine hills receive high rainfall, and the peaty moorland produces very soft, slightly acidic water. Hardness in Sheffield, Leeds, and Bradford zones typically ranges from 45–120 mg/L CaCO₃ — soft enough to keep kettles limescale-free for years. This is some of the softest urban water in England.

Eastern Yorkshire — Hull, Beverley, Driffield — is supplied from chalk groundwater abstractions. The Yorkshire Wolds is a chalk plateau, and water percolating through the chalk picks up substantial calcium. Hull's water can be hard (200–260 mg/L CaCO₃) — a striking contrast with Sheffield just 60 miles west. York and North Yorkshire zones are moderately hard (150–180 mg/L), drawing from mixed sources.

THMs and moorland water

Yorkshire Water's moorland-sourced water tends to have higher concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM) — dissolved organic carbon from peat. When this water is chlorinated during treatment, higher NOM concentrations can lead to elevated trihalomethane (THM) formation. Some Yorkshire Water zones have historically reported THM levels closer to the 100 µg/L legal limit than the national average. Yorkshire Water has invested in advanced treatment to manage this. An activated carbon filter will reduce THM levels in drinking water.

PFAS in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Water holds an active DWI PFAS improvement notice. PFAS have been detected in some Yorkshire zones, linked to historic use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at airports and industrial sites. Yorkshire Water is investing in treatment upgrades as part of its improvement programme.

Water companies in Yorkshire
Major cities in Yorkshire
Frequently asked questions
Is Yorkshire tap water safe to drink?

Yes. Tap water in Yorkshire is safe to drink. UK tap water is subject to rigorous regulation and testing. Over 99.9% of samples pass legal standards each year. Enter your postcode above for your specific zone's data.

Is Yorkshire water hard or soft?

Yorkshire has soft in the west to hard in the east (45–250 mg/L CaCO₃) water. Low mineral content — no limescale issues. Water is excellent for appliances.

Which water companies serve Yorkshire?

Yorkshire is served by: Yorkshire Water. Enter your postcode to identify your exact water company.

Does Yorkshire tap water have PFAS?

Yorkshire has water companies with active DWI PFAS improvement notices. Enter your postcode to check your zone.

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