Southampton Water: Prices, Contact, Water Quality Info

If you just moved and have some Southampton water questions, you will be able to find who handles Southampton's water supply as well as wastewater services in the water information below. Additionally, we have tips on how to deal with Southampton water hardness so that you can enjoy quality tap water in your home.

Southampton Water Supplier

Southampton's water is supplied by one water company, Southern Water. Here are the contact details for your Southampton water supplier:

Southampton's sewerage and wastewater is also handled by Southern Water. Here are Southampton sewerage and wastewater contact details:

Be aware that calls to numbers starting with 03 may be charged at local rates by your phone company.

Where does the water for Southampton come from?

The majority of Southern Waters supply comes from groundwater (70%), predominantly from the chalk aquifer which is widespread across our region. A further 23% comes from rivers and the remaining seven per cent from surface water reservoirs owned by the company.

Water Rates Southampton

Water rates in Southampton will depend on if your home has a water meter or not. You can find out whether your Southampton water rates are metered by looking at your water bill. Homes with metered Southampton water rates will have a meter number available on their water bills.

Homes that aren't metered won't have this of course, but they will have the rateable value of the home instead. The rateable value part of your Southampton water will have been determined by the local council in the 90s and unlikely to have changed significantly since then unless you have a newer property.

If you don't have a bill at the ready or have just moved into your home, you can look around your house or in the front garden for a meter. Sometimes the meter can 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 Southampton residents are being charged result in an average water bill of around £418 a year. This amount combines both sewerage costs and water supply.

If you'd like to save some money on your water bill then this useful guide to water rates in the UK will give you some great tips & tricks to help lower your water bill.

Southampton Water Hardness

Southampton's water hardness is rated as Very 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 Southern Water's supply area, Southampton water picks up minerals, such as magnesium or calcium, on the way to your tap.

The very hard rating of Southampton's waters means that the water in your home is likely to lead to scaling in sinks, dishwashers, kettles, and loos.

1. Baths, sinks and toilets: Use an acidic sanitiser regularly (available in local shops) to clean susceptible surfaces in order to clear limescale deposits.
2. Kettles: Try to avoid over-filling your kettle with water. Make sure that you clean your kettle by half-filling 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.
3. 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 Southampton?

Yes! You can drink the water in Southampton without concern. Southampton's water meets very high standards making it safe to drink. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate has scored Southampton's water quality a 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, meaning that your water is very safe to drink. It is not necessary to boil or filter Southampton's water further in order to make it potable.

If you notice a change in taste or smell of Southampton's water this may be due to one of the following reasons:

1. Chlorination a safe way to ensure hygiene throughout the pipe network.
2. Seasonal changes in water characteristics can infuse Southampton water with an earthy smell or taste.
3. Plumbing can contribute to the taste of your household water, adding metallic, salty or rubbery hints.

If you have questions about your water's appearance, smell or taste, you should not hesitate to contact Southern Water.

Southampton Water Problems

Southampton water problems can include anything from a burst water main or flooding to having no water 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 Southampton property, you need to do one of the following:

1. If you are out and about, call or tweet Southern Water
2. If you are near a computer, go to the "Need help?" section of Southern Waters website, where you can report a leak or flooding, or alternately call their Leakline.

Southampton 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 a Southern Water outage impacting Southampton.

1. Check the FAQ or the incident map section from within the "Need help?" section of the Southern Water website.
2. Ask your neighbours whether they have the same issue as you.
3. Check that your stop tap is open

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 Southern Water for assistance.

Southampton Water Discolouration

If the water in your home is discoloured, the issue might be a Southern Water issue impacting Southampton.

1. Changes to the colour of the water in Southampton may happen after a burst pipe has been repaired
2. Or, Southern Water could have been carrying out upgrade work on the pipes in Southampton
3. 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 Southern Water for assistance.