Check Your Water Hardness
Enter your Edinburgh postcode to confirm your water hardness level and get personalized filter recommendations:
Why Edinburgh Water Is Different
Edinburgh is blessed with soft water (50-100 ppm calcium carbonate) from Scottish Water's reservoirs in the Pentland Hills and Moorfoot Hills. This is some of the best natural water in the UK—low mineral content, naturally filtered through granite and peat.
That means no limescale buildup in kettles, showerheads, or appliances. You don't need a water softener—it would be a waste of money. Instead, focus on what Edinburgh water actually needs: taste improvement (chlorine removal) and PFAS/microplastic removal.
The Edinburgh Advantage: Soft Water
What 50-100 ppm Means for You
Edinburgh's water comes from Scottish Water's reservoirs in the Pentland and Moorfoot Hills. As water flows through granite and peat, it picks up very few minerals—resulting in 50-100 ppm hardness (classified as "soft").
Comparison: London (300-400 ppm, very hard), Birmingham (200-250 ppm, moderately hard), Manchester (50-100 ppm, soft), Edinburgh (50-100 ppm, soft). You're in the soft water club—lucky you!
What to Expect
No Limescale Buildup ✓
Kettles stay clean. Showerheads don't clog. Appliances last their full lifespan. This is the biggest advantage of Edinburgh water—you save £200-500/year in appliance damage vs London.
Taste & Chlorine
Scottish Water treats reservoir water with chlorine for safety. Many Edinburgh residents describe the taste as "slightly chlorinated" or "flat." A carbon filter solves this instantly.
Soap & Detergent Usage
Soft water lathers easily—you need 30-50% less soap/detergent than hard water areas. Your cleaning products last longer and work better. Another Edinburgh advantage.
PFAS & Contaminants
Recent Guardian investigation found PFAS in UK water sources. Scottish Water meets current UK standards, but those standards are 25x weaker than US limits. Many Edinburgh families choose to filter for PFAS.
Best Water Filters for Edinburgh Homes
Edinburgh needs a simple approach: drinking water filter for taste + contaminants. Skip the water softener—you don't have limescale problems.
Drinking Water Filter (Essential)
Goal: Improve taste, remove chlorine, reduce PFAS/microplastics.
Waterdrop 10UA (£59)
Removes 95%+ of chlorine, sediment, and improves taste. NSF 42 certified. Perfect for 80% of Edinburgh households. Easy 3-minute installation.
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iSpring RCC7AK (£325)
Reverse osmosis removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, and all contaminants. Adds healthy minerals back. The gold standard for Edinburgh families.
View on AmazonYou Don't Need a Water Softener
Edinburgh water is already soft (50-100 ppm). Installing a water softener would be a waste of £400-800. You don't have limescale problems, so there's nothing to fix.
Save your money. If someone tries to sell you a water softener in Edinburgh, they're either misinformed or trying to make a sale. Focus on drinking water filtration instead.
Keith's Recommendation for Edinburgh Homes
For most Edinburgh households:
TAPP 2 Twist (£89) is all you need. Removes chlorine, improves taste, reduces PFAS/microplastics. Installs in 30 seconds. Costs £35/year to maintain. Simple, effective, affordable.
If you're concerned about PFAS or have young children:
iSpring RCC7AK (£325) gives you maximum protection. Reverse osmosis removes 99%+ of all contaminants, including PFAS, lead, and microplastics. Adds minerals back for taste. Worth the investment for peace of mind.
What NOT to buy:
Water softeners (you don't have hard water), whole-house filters (unnecessary for soft water), alkaline ionizers (pseudoscience). Keep it simple—Edinburgh water is already good quality.
About Keith
Mechanical engineer with 20+ years of water filtration experience
Keith has spent over two decades working with water systems across the UK, including extensive experience with Scottish Water's soft water areas like Edinburgh and Glasgow. His engineering background and hands-on experience with soft water filtration provide the technical foundation for Filter Authority's practical, no-nonsense guidance.
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