Require water companies to implement and Ofwat to enforce supply-level solutions to reduce excessive water hardness, such as in the South East, publish transparent local hardness data, and deliver infrastructure investment or support measures so households are not forced to bear mitigation costs.

Hard water, such as in South East England, creates extra household costs and daily inconvenience. Residents must spend on water softeners, salt, descaling products, appliance repairs, and higher energy bills due to limescale reducing heating efficiency. While water quality meets safety standards, the financial and wellbeing burden is regionally unequal. Government intervention is needed to implement supply-level solutions.