Practical water guides
Start with the question you want to answer about your home’s water.
How to test water hardness at home
Start with the task you want to complete: setting an appliance, checking a softener, or understanding a water-quality concern.
Water quality testing: who to contact and what to ask
A useful test starts with a specific question. A hardness result and a drinking-water investigation answer different questions.
Hard water vs soft water: what the difference means
Hardness describes dissolved calcium and magnesium. It is useful for understanding limescale and appliance settings, but is not an overall water-quality score.
Cloudy tap water: what to check
White or cloudy water is often caused by tiny air bubbles. A visual check can help describe the problem, but it is not a laboratory test.
Brown, orange or black tap water: what to do
If your water suddenly changes colour, contact your water supplier for advice before assuming it is safe to drink.
Why does tap water taste metallic?
A metallic taste can be associated with plumbing, but taste alone cannot identify or measure a metal in drinking water.
How to soften hard water: options and practical checks
Start with the problem you want to solve, such as limescale or appliance settings. A hardness label is not a reason to buy treatment for health protection.