Plymouth Water: Contact, Rates, Water Hardness Info

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

Plymouth Water Supplier

Plymouth Water is supplied by one water company, South West Water. Here are the contact details for your Plymouth water supplier:

Plymouth sewerage and wastewater is handled by the same company, South West Water. Here are Plymouth sewerage and wastewater contact details:

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

Water Rates Plymouth

Water rates in Plymouth will depend on if your home has a water meter. You can find out whether your Plymouth water rates are metered by looking at your water bill. Homes with metered Plymouth water rates will have a meter number listed on their water bills.

Homes that aren't metered won't, but they will have the rateable value of the home instead of this. The rateable value part of your Plymouth water rates will have been determined by the local council in the 90s and unlikely to have changed much since then.

If you've just moved in or you don't have a bill handy, you can look around 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 would like to read more about water meters check out Selectra's essential guide to water meters.

The average water rates Plymouth residents are being charged result in an average water bill of around £491 a year. This amount combines both water supply and sewerage costs.

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

Plymouth Water Hardness

Plymouth water hardness is rated as soft water. While rainwater itself is relatively soft, water hardness can change through the water cycle. Due to the way water filters through rocks in Plymouth Water's supply area, Plymouth's water picks up minerals, such as magnesium or calcium, on the way to your tap.

Plymouth water's soft rating means that the soft water in your home is unlikely to lead to scaling in kettles, sinks, dishwashers and loos to a significant degree. There are further ways to limit the effects of hard water furring or scaling in Plymouth.

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 - Do not overfill your kettle with water in, general. 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 scale.
3. Dishwashers - Take advantage of the built-in water softener. Make sure you regularly top off it off with dishwasher salt in the appropriate compartment.]

Can you drink the water in Plymouth?

Yes! You can drink the water in Plymouth. You can rest assured that Plymouth water meets very high standards making it perfectly safe to drink. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate has scored Plymouth 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 Plymouth water to make it potable.

If you notice a change in taste or smell of Plymouth 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 Plymouth 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 taste, smell or appearance, you should not hesitate to contact South West Water.

Plymouth Water Problems

Plymouth 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 Plymouth property, you need to do one of the following:

1. If you are out and about, call or tweet South West Water
2. If you are near a computer, go to the "Report a leak" section of South West Water.

Plymouth 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 South West Water outage impacting Plymouth.

1. Check the FAQ or "Planned works" section of the South West Water website for any information explaining why you have no water.
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 South West Water for assistance.

Plymouth Water Discolouration

If the water in your home is discoloured, the issue might be a South West Water issue impacting Plymouth.

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