UK Water Tips for Newcomers

☕ Tap Water in the UK Is Hard

In many parts of the UK, tap water is classified as hard water, meaning it contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Since Japan’s tap water is soft, those who’ve recently relocated might notice differences in taste or even changes in how their body reacts to the water.

💦 Digestive Sensitivities & Baby Formula

If you have a sensitive stomach, using soft water may help avoid digestive issues. In addition, Japanese baby formula is designed for soft water, so if you're using Japanese formula in the UK, it's best to choose soft water whenever possible.

Recommended Soft Water Brands

• Tesco* Ashbeck Mineral Water (Hardness: approx. 39.5 mg/L — soft water by WHO standards)

• Volvic (Hardness: approx. 62 mg/L — just on the edge of soft water)

WHO Classification of Water Hardness: Soft ≤ 60 | Moderately Hard 60–120 | Hard 120–180 | Very Hard ≥ 180

Helpful Link:

• MineralWaterFit mineral analysis

• WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality – 4th Edition

• Water Hardness Calculator

For details of Tesco, please see another article: Supermarket Tips for Families and Expats (Language: Eng, Jap)

🏠 Checking Your Local Tap Water Hardness

You can easily check the hardness of tap water in your area through the official Thames Water site:🔗 Check Your Water Quality | Thames Water

🧃 Tips for Drinking Water

• Use bottled water labeled as soft

• Install a home filtration system like Brita

• In furnished rental homes, coffee or tea rings can leave marks on tables, so using coasters is a good idea

👕 Laundry Water Care

• Add a water softener like Calgon alongside detergent

• Regularly clean your washing machine to prevent buildup

🛁 Bathroom Tips

• Hair may feel less dry when using UK-made shampoos designed for hard water (from my personal experiences)

• Be generous with moisturizing care for skin and scalp

• Consider switching to a shower head with built-in softening features