Folkestone Water: Hardness, Water Rates & Supply Info
If you just moved and have some Folkstone water questions, you will be able to find who handles the Folkstone water supply as well as wastewater services in the information below. Additionally, we have tips on how to deal with Folkstone's water hardness so that you can enjoy quality tap water in your home.
Folkstone Water Supplier
Folkstone's water is supplied by one water company, Affinity Water. Here are the contact details for your Folkstone water supplier:
| Water Company | Phone Number | Opening Times |
|---|---|---|
| Metered Supply | 0345 357 2401 | Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 2pm |
| Unmetered Supply | 0345 357 2402 | Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 2pm |
Folkstone sewerage and wastewater is handled by a seperate company, Southern Water. Here are Folkstone sewerage and wastewater contact details:
| Water Company | Phone Number | Opening Times |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Water | 0330 303 0368 | Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am-10:30pm, 24/7 for emergencies |
Be aware that calls to numbers starting with 03 may be charged at local rates by your phone company.
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Water Rates Folkstone
Water rates in Folkstone depend on whether your home has a water meter or not. By taking a look at a water bill, you should be able to determine if your home is a meter, or if it has a rateable value. Homes with metered water rates will have a meter number listed on their water bills.
Homes that are not metered won't, but they will have the rateable value of the home instead. The rateable value part of your Folkstone water rates will have been determined by the local council in the 90s and will probably not have changed much since then. This rateable value is subject to review every 5 years and takes several factors into consideration such as property size, its location, and its access to local services.
If you've just moved in or you don't have a bill handy, you can look outside your house or in the front garden for a meter. Sometimes the meter may be located inside your house near the stop tap.
If you want to read more about water meters check out Selectra's essential guide to water meters.
The average water rates Folkstone residents are being charged result in an average water bill of around £418 a year. This amount combines both water supply and sewerage costs.
If you want to save money on your water bill then our handy guide to water rates in the UK will give you some great tips & tricks to lower your water bill.
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Folkstone Water Hardness
Folkstone water hardness is rated as hard water. While rainwater itself is relatively soft, water hardness can change through the water cycle. Due to the way water filters through rocks in Folkstone Water's supply area, Folkstone water picks up minerals, such as magnesium or calcium, on the way to your tap.
Folkstone water hardness rating means that the hard water in your home will likely lead to scaling in kettles, sinks, dishwashers and loos. There are things you can do to help mitigate hard water furring or scaling in Folkstone.
- Baths, sinks and toilets: Use an acidic sanitiser regularly (available in local shops) to clean susceptible surfaces in order to clear limescale deposits.
- Kettles: Do not overfill your kettle with water, only using as much as you need for the immediate task. Make sure that you also clean your kettle by half-filling it with water and adding two tablespoons of white vinegar, leaving it for four hours in order to loosen scale build-up. Rinse and repeat to remove the scale.
- Dishwashers: Take advantage of the built-in water softener. Make sure you regularly top it off with dishwasher salt in the appropriate compartment.
Can you drink the water in Folkstone?
Yes! You can drink the water in Folkstone without the need for concern. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate has scored Folkstone's water quality a 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, meaning that your water is safe to drink. It is not necessary to boil or filter Folkstone water to make it potable.
If you notice a change in taste or smell of Folkstone water this may be due to one of the following reasons:
- Chlorination is a safe way to ensure hygiene throughout the pipe network.
- Seasonal changes can infuse Folkstone water with an earthy smell or taste.
- Plumbing can also contribute to the taste of your household water, adding rubbery, metallic, or salty hints.
You should not hesitate in contacting Affinity Water if you have any concerns about changes in the quality of your water, or if you are concerned that your water may be unsafe to drink.
Folkstone Water Problems
Folkstone's water problems can come in a variety of forms, including anything from burst water mains or local or regional flooding or to having no water supply in your home. This is why you should make sure you know what to do and who to contact regarding water emergencies.
If you notice a water leak or flooding outside your Folkstone property, you need to do one of the following:
- If you are out and about, call or tweet Affinity Water
- If you are near a computer, go to the "report a leak" section of Affinity Water and fill out the online form.
Folkstone No Water
If you have no water in your home, you need to find out if the issue is to do with your home plumbing or an Affinity Water outage impacting Folkstone.
- Check the "In Your Area" sections of the Affinity Water website for any information explaining why you have no water.
- Ask your neighbours whether they have the same issue as you. If they do, then this is likely an Affinity Water supply issue or outage
- Check that your stop tap is open. This can sometimes be accidentally knocked into the off position, which would prevent water from flowing to your taps and appliances
If you have no water, is it only no cold water, or no hot water? If you have cold water but no hot water, the issue will be with your home plumbing and not the water company
If there is no cold water, not even a trickle, contact Affinity Water for assistance.
Folkstone Water Discolouration
If the water in your home is discoloured, the issue might be an Affinity Water issue impacting Folkstone.
- Changes to the colour of the water in Folkstone may happen after a burst pipe has been repaired
- Or, Affinity Water could have been carrying out upgrade work on the pipes in Folkstone
- Water Discolouration is not harmful and can often be cleared by running the cold water tap until it becomes clear
If there is no improvement after trying this, you can contact Affinity Water for assistance.