NR16 tap water: what's in it?

Who supplies water in NR16

Drinking-water test record

How hard is the water in NR16?

Storm overflows nearby

Older homes and lead pipes

Fluoride

Hosepipe bans

What you can do

Common water problems

• How much does a water softener cost in the UK?

  Water softener cost UK 2026: price by home size

• Why is my tap water cloudy or white?

  Why is my tap water cloudy or white? (UK)

• Why is my tap water brown?

  Brown tap water: causes and what to do (UK)

• Why does my tap water taste metallic?

  Tap water tastes metallic? Causes and fixes (UK)

Questions about tap water in NR16

Is the water in NR16 hard or soft?

Anglian Water: at least very hard, at least 324 mg/l, at least 22.7 °Clark, at least 18.2 °dH, at least 32.4 °fH (East Harling PWSZ (supply zone), January 2025 to December 2025). Zone average. At least 324 mg/l (very hard or harder); total hardness is higher. Anglian Water: at least very hard, at least 461 mg/l, at least 32.3 °Clark, at least 25.8 °dH, at least 46.1 °fH (Long Stratton PWSZ (supply zone), January 2025 to December 2025). Zone average. At least 461 mg/l (very hard or harder); total hardness is higher. Anglian Water: at least very hard, at least 355 mg/l, at least 24.9 °Clark, at least 19.9 °dH, at least 35.5 °fH (Wymondham PWSZ (supply zone), January 2025 to December 2025). Zone average. At least 355 mg/l (very hard or harder); total hardness is higher. Anglian Water: at least very hard, at least 383 mg/l, at least 26.8 °Clark, at least 21.4 °dH, at least 38.3 °fH (Hethersett PWSZ (supply zone), January 2025 to December 2025). Zone average. At least 383 mg/l (very hard or harder); total hardness is higher. Anglian Water: We do not have a verified hardness figure for this area. Ask your water company for its water quality report. Anglian Water: at least very hard, at least 517 mg/l, at least 36.3 °Clark, at least 29.0 °dH, at least 51.7 °fH (Harleston PWSZ (supply zone), January 2025 to December 2025). Zone average. At least 517 mg/l (very hard or harder); total hardness is higher. Anglian Water: at least hard, at least 253 mg/l, at least 17.8 °Clark, at least 14.2 °dH, at least 25.3 °fH (Two Mile Bottom PWSZ (supply zone), January 2025 to December 2025). Zone average. At least 253 mg/l (hard or harder); total hardness is higher.

What does the drinking water regulator's record show for NR16?

Anglian Water group (figures include Anglian Water): at least 25 tests failed UK drinking-water standards in 2025 (DWI, company-wide). Some published DWI figures don't reconcile or identify a company, so we've left them out; the true number may be higher. England overall: 99.97% of tests met standards.

Could homes in NR16 have lead pipes?

51% of homes here were built before 1973 — estimate, not a test. Homes in the parts of NR16 we can match to council-tax records (100% of its postcodes) whose build period is known; the share with no recorded build period isn't published for these areas. Allowing for suppressed counts: 49–51%. England and Wales: 61% (2026). Older homes are more likely to have lead pipes. Only a test tells you whether yours does.

Is the water in NR16 fluoridated?

We cannot confirm whether this area is part of a water fluoridation scheme. Ask your water supplier using your postcode. Around one in ten people in England receive drinking water supplied by a fluoridation scheme.