Frome Water: Hardness, Quality & Rates

If you have recently moved and would like to know more about your Frome water supply, you will be able to find who handles the Frome water supply as well as wastewater services in the water information below. Additionally, we have tips on how to deal with Frome water hardness so that you can enjoy quality tap water in your home.

Frome Water Supplier

Frome Water is supplied by one water company, Bristol Water. Here are the contact details for your Frome water supplier:

Frome sewerage and wastewater is handled by a seperate company, Wessex Water. Here are Frome 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 Frome water come from?

The vast majority of the water that Bristol Water provides to Frome comes from surface water sources. These sources range from approximately 50% being drawn from Chew Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake, the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Reservoir and Barrow Gurney Reservoirs, while the remainder is transported from the River Severn via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. No matter how far your water has travelled or where it has come from, Bristol Water ensures that it is of great quality by the time it reaches your home by carrying out regular testing and applying thorough filtration and cleansing methods.

Water Rates Frome

Water rates in Frome depend on whether your home has a water meter or not. You can easily find out whether your Frome water rates are metered or not by looking at your water bill. Homes with metered Frome water rates will have a meter number listed on their water bills. Alternately some suppliers will also place MC at the start of the account number for metered customers, or UC for unmetered customers.

If you don't have a bill ready, you can look around your house for a water meter. These would usually be located either outside in a box sunk into the ground, or inside next to the water stop tap, which would usually be in the kitchen. If you can identify that your home does have a water meter, it is important to provide your supplier with regular water readings, as they will bill you according to your exact usage.

Homes that are not metered will have the rateable value of the home instead. The rateable value of your home is based on the property size, location, and availability of services. This is used to calculate an estimated consumption value, which is then applied to create your bill.

Are you trying to decide if a water meter is for you? Then check out Selectra's essential guide to water meters to find out their pros and cons.

The average water rates Frome residents are being charged result in an average water bill of around £417 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.

Frome Water Hardness

Frome 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 Frome Water's supply area, Frome water picks up minerals, such as magnesium or calcium, on the way to your tap. As a rule, the more minerals that are present in your water, the harder your water will be.

Having a hard water rating means that your water will be less effective at tasks such as cleaning clothes or washing dishes, and that limescale will gradually accumulate around taps and sinks. Here are a few simple things you can do to get more out of your water and protect your appliances:

1. Kettles: Avoid overfilling your kettle with water, using only as much water as is necessary for the task at hand. You should also occasionally 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.
2. Clothing - Where possible, powder-based detergents should be avoided due to them being less effective at resisting water hardness and minerals, which would mean that your water is less effective at its task. Using liquid-based detergents, particularly those focused on softening clothes and water would be much more beneficial. Additionally, you should occasionally clean your washing machine by adding baking soda and white vinegar directly into the empty drum and setting it to a hot wash. Make sure to wipe down the drum thoroughly afterwards. This process limits and removes limescale build-up.
3. Baths, sinks and toilets: Use an acidic sanitiser regularly will help to remove and slow the accumulation of limescale.
4. 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 Frome?

Yes! you can drink the water in Frome. Frome water meets the highest standards to make the water safe to drink. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate has scored Frome 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 Frome water to make it potable.

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

1. Seasonal changes can infuse Frome water with an earthy smell or taste.
2. Plumbing can also contribute to the taste of your household water, adding metallic, salty or rubbery hints.
3. Chlorination is a safe way to ensure hygiene throughout the pipe network. This helps to ensure a minimal bacterial presence in your drinking water.

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

Frome Water Problems

Frome water problems can include anything from burst water mains 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 Frome property, you need to do one of the following:

1. If you aren't at home, the easiest way to alert Wessex Water or Bristol Water is to send them a message via social media. If the issue is more pressing or is a safety risk, calling them may be the quickest way to alert them to the problem.
2. If you are near a computer, go to the "report a leak" section of Bristol Water and fill out the online form.

Frome 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 Bristol Water outage impacting Frome.

1. Ask your neighbours whether they have the same issue as you. If they do, then this indicates that there is a problem with the Bristol Water supply.
2. Check that your stop tap is open. If this is closed, turning it to the open position should allow water to resume flowing. If this doesn't happen, then there may be a Bristol Water outage.
3. Check the "In Your Area" sections of the Bristol Water website for any information explaining why you have no water.

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 Bristol Water for assistance.

Frome Water Discolouration

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

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