Hard Truths: Should You Be Softening Your London Water?
If you live in London, you already know about hard water. It’s part of daily life. The white staining on your shower screen, the residue in your kettle, the build up around taps. Fill a glass with tap water and you’ll see the white cloudy swirl.
Even when you are fastidious about cleaning, over time hard water is quietly affecting your appliances, plumbing, and even your hair and skin. Not dramatically, but persistently. Which is why more London homeowners are now addressing this issue it head-on.
Why is London water so hard?
London’s mains supply is drawn largely from underground chalk aquifers and rivers such as the Thames and Lea. These sources are naturally high in calcium and magnesium, which are picked up as the water moves through layers of limestone and chalk. This gives London its particularly hard water.
Calcium and magnesium are not considered contaminants or harmful substances. In fact, they are minerals the body can use. Because of this, water suppliers are not required to remove them during treatment. Their focus is on safety and hygiene - filtering out pathogens, heavy metals, and impurities - rather than adjusting the mineral balance. Removing hardness on a city-wide scale would also be complex and expensive.
Instead, responsibility for managing the effects of hard water is left to homeowners, who can choose to address it in a number of ways.
Why does it matter?
Hard water creates more problems than you might realise.
It causes limescale to collect inside appliances, reducing performance
It makes soaps and detergents less effective
It dries skin and dulls hair, particularly in winter or for those with sensitivities
It clogs showerheads and shortens the life of washing machines and kettles
It can lead to expensive boiler callouts and reduced energy efficiency
For many London households, softening water becomes less about luxury and more about practical maintenance.
What are the options?
There are three main categories of water treatment:
01 | Ion Exchange Water Softeners
These systems physically remove minerals by replacing calcium and magnesium with small amounts of sodium. Brands include Harvey, Kinetico and BWT.
Pros
Completely removes water hardness
Protects boilers, showers and washing machines
Leaves skin feeling softer and hair easier to lather
Prevents visible scale on taps and glass
Extends the life of high-spec fixtures and appliances
Cons
Adds low levels of sodium to drinking water
Requires regular softening salt refills
Takes up space under a sink or in a utility area
Expect installation costs to range from £800 to £2,000 depending on the system
Does it affect water pressure?
Not if installed correctly. A sufficiently sized model will preserve flow even in multi-bathroom homes.
Older models or undersized softening units can cause pressure drops.
For London properties, high-flow or twin-cylinder models such as the Kinetico Premier Compact are designed for the space saving and water pressure issues.
Is softened water safe to drink?
Yes, for most people. A glass contains only 10–20mg of sodium. (About the same as a slice of bread.) But if you are on a low-sodium diet, or simply prefer to drink filtered water, a separate filter tap for drinking water can be installed alongside a main kitchen tap.
02 | Water Conditioners and Descalers
These don’t remove hardness per se, they alter the way minerals behave.
Instead of clinging to surfaces and forming crusty deposits, the minerals remain suspended in the water and pass through your plumbing and appliances more cleanly.
a. ) Magnetic or Electronic Descalers
Brands include Eddy, CalMag and Scaleguard.
Pros
Affordable (usually under £400)
Extremely compact and fully in-line
Easy to install with no plumbing changes
No salt or chemicals
Cons
No change to skin feel or soap performance
No effect on laundry, water taste or overall softness
Varying results depending on pipework and flow rates
b.) Electrochemical Conditioners
The Aquabion system uses a zinc anode to subtly change how minerals bond inside your pipes.
Pros
Compact and discreet - takes up no storage space
Improves soap lather and kinder to hair and skin
Long-lasting (seven to ten years)
No salt supplies or maintenance required
In-line installation preserves water pressure
Cons
Higher upfront cost (around £600–£900)
Won’t soften water per se
Needs a trained plumber to install correctly
03 | Point-of-Use Filters
These include shower filters, tap-mounted cartridges and under-sink water filters.
Pros
Easy to install
Target specific areas like showers or drinking water taps
Low cost
Cons
Only address part of the problem, in one area
Limited impact on scale, appliance performance or whole-home use
May require frequent cartridge changes
Summary of Water Softening Options
Does softened water offer any health benefits?
Soft water may help reduce eczema flare-ups and dry skin, particularly in winter.
Many users notice improved comfort in showers and better lather from soaps and shampoos.
While hard water contains some beneficial minerals when consumed, these are not essential for most people and can be safely removed without consequence.
Can you install these systems yourself?
You can install some magnetic descalers and basic tap filters.
Aquabion should be fitted by a professional.
Full ion exchange softeners require plumbing modifications, pressure balancing, and knowledge of your home’s water system. So these are best left to experienced installers, particularly in London properties where access and layout can be complex.
Will any of these systems help with drinking water taste?
Water softeners don’t usually improve taste, and some people notice a slight difference once sodium is added to the system. A separate drinking water tap or filtered system is recommended if taste or mineral content is important to you.
The CiD Take On Water Softeners:
Water softening takes a little bit of thinking about - and in our experience having fitted systems for our clients over many years - it’s definitely worth it.
You may not see a return on the financial outlay. But if you’re tired of constant cleaning, and seeing limescale everywhere, having to deep clean your coffee machine and appliances regularly, replacing parts in a boiler never mind dry, tight skin when you step from a shower, you’ll appreciate the upgrade.
We help clients across London explore the right option for their home. Whether it’s a compact softener in a Chelsea mews house or an Aquabion installed discreetly in a Hampstead loft, we manage the whole project start to finish.
We’ll also remind you when it’s time to top up the salt and handle the orders, or arrange filter replacements.
If you’re a CiD client, just ask your EA to help you explore it. You’ll notice the difference in how your home feels, not just how it looks.
Soft water. More comfort. Consider it Done.