Best Water Treatment Setup GuideBudget to Ultimate: 4 tiers for Andover, Marlborough & Hungerford homeowners
From a simple conditioner and tap filter at £400 to a full whole-house system at £5,500 — here's exactly what I recommend at each budget, with honest prices and no sales pitch.
Why Hampshire Water Needs Treatment
The chalk geology beneath your home is the reason
If you live in Andover, Marlborough, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Tidworth, Pewsey, or Stockbridge, your water is hard. Very hard. The chalk downs that make this part of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Berkshire so beautiful also dissolve calcium and magnesium into your water supply. Most of us are drinking water at 300+ parts per million (ppm) — anything above 200 ppm is classified as “hard” and above 300 ppm is “very hard.”
That hardness costs you money. Limescale builds up inside your boiler, reducing efficiency by up to 12% for every 1.6mm of scale (according to British Water). It shortens the life of your immersion heater, dishwasher, washing machine and shower. It furs up your taps and leaves white residue on everything. And if you have an unvented hot water cylinder, scale buildup on the coil can dramatically reduce your hot water output.
On the drinking water side, our mains water is safe — Thames Water and Wessex Water treat it to legal standards. But “safe” and “ideal” are different things. Chlorine gives tap water that swimming pool taste. Microplastics are increasingly found in UK mains water. And if your home has pre-1970s lead service pipes (common in Andover and Marlborough town centres), trace lead can still leach into your drinking water even after years of corrosion inhibitor dosing.
The question isn't whether you need water treatment — it's how much. That depends on your budget, your property, and what matters most to you. Which is exactly what this tiered guide helps you decide.
How to Choose Your Tier
Every home is different. Here's a quick guide to help you find the right starting point before we get into the detail.
Flat or Rental Property?
Start with Tier 1. Non-permanent solutions that you can take with you when you move. No landlord permission needed for most of it.
2-3 Bed House, Sensible Budget?
Go for Tier 2. The sweet spot for most families — proper limescale prevention plus genuinely better drinking water.
Larger Home, Want the Best?
Tier 3 gives you a proper salt softener for truly soft water plus mineral-rich drinking water. The full package for serious homeowners.
Luxury Home, No Compromise?
Tier 4 is everything — softened water, conditioned cold, reverse osmosis purity, boiling water on tap, and sediment pre-filtration.
The Essentials
Minimum effective setup for hard water — £300-£500 total
Aquabion S20 Water Conditioner
Whole-house limescale prevention. The Aquabion uses a sacrificial zinc anode to change how calcium behaves in your water — scale forms as a soft powder instead of hard crust. No salt, no electricity, no wastewater. Fits on your mains pipe and lasts 5-8 years.
TAPP EcoPro Under-Sink Filter
Improved drinking water taste and quality. Removes chlorine, microplastics, lead and heavy metals. Compact carbon block filter that fits under most kitchen sinks. Cartridge lasts 3 months and costs around £20 to replace.
Tier 1 Cost Breakdown
| Item | Product Cost | Installation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquabion S20 | £200-£350 | £100-£150 | £300-£500 |
| TAPP EcoPro | £70-£90 | DIY / £0 | £70-£90 |
| Total | £370-£590 | ||
Will's Honest Take
This is where I start most recommendations. The Aquabion genuinely works — I've fitted hundreds of them across Andover, Marlborough and the surrounding villages. It won't make your water feel “soft” like a Harvey does, but it stops the hard scale coating your heating elements, shower heads and taps. Combine it with a TAPP filter and your drinking water tastes noticeably better too. For renters, flats, or anyone who wants effective treatment without the commitment of a full softener system, this is the smart play.
The Smart Choice
Best value for most 2-3 bed homes — £800-£1,200 total
Halcyan Water Conditioner
Premium no-salt conditioning with a unique alloy core. Installed on your mains, it conditions water throughout the entire house. No maintenance, no electricity, no running costs. Comes with a 10-year warranty and a money-back guarantee. The upgrade from Aquabion for those who want the best conditioner available.
Water2 Pod Under-Sink Filter
Bear Grylls-endorsed carbon block filter that removes chlorine, microplastics, lead, and over 70 contaminants. Sleek pod design fits neatly under the sink. Quick-change cartridges make maintenance simple — twist off the old one, twist on the new one. Excellent flow rate and taste improvement.
Brita mypure P1
A solid alternative to the Water2 Pod. The Brita mypure P1 is a well-known brand with reliable filtration. Removes chlorine, lead and microplastics. The dedicated filter tap means you always know which water is filtered. Cartridges are widely available at supermarkets.
Tier 2 Cost Breakdown
| Item | Product Cost | Installation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halcyan Conditioner | £400-£600 | £100-£200 | £500-£800 |
| Water2 Pod / Brita mypure | £130-£200 | £70-£100 | £200-£300 |
| Total | £700-£1,100 | ||
Will's Honest Take
This is my most-recommended tier and the one I'd pick for my own home if I was starting fresh. The Halcyan is a step up from the Aquabion — better build quality, longer warranty, and in my experience slightly more effective at preventing new scale buildup. Pair it with a Water2 Pod and you've got genuinely excellent drinking water and proper limescale prevention for well under £1,000. For most 2-3 bed homes in the SP10, SN8 or RG17 postcodes, this is the sweet spot. You get 80% of the benefit of a full softener system at 30% of the cost.
The Full Package
Comprehensive protection for larger homes — £2,000-£3,500 total
The Split-Circuit Approach
This is where it gets clever. Tier 3 splits your water into two circuits: a salt softener on the hot water side for truly soft, scale-free hot water, and an Aquabion conditioner on the cold mains so your drinking water keeps its natural minerals. You get the luxury feel of softened water in baths and showers without drinking softened water. Add a premium boiling water tap and you've got instant filtered hot and cold water on demand.
Harvey TwinTec S3 Softener
The UK's best-selling water softener, and for good reason. Twin-cylinder design means you never run out of soft water. Compact enough to fit under most kitchen sinks. Removes 100% of hardness minerals from your hot water circuit — your shower glass, taps and heating elements stay perfectly clean.
Aquabion on Cold Mains
By fitting the Aquabion on your cold water supply (after the softener takeoff), your drinking water and kitchen cold tap retain all their natural calcium and magnesium. You still get limescale prevention on the cold side, but without the sodium that a softener adds. Best of both worlds.
Franke Minerva 3-in-1 Tap
Instant filtered boiling water, plus standard hot and cold, all from one tap. Replaces your kettle and provides filtered water on demand. The boiling water element sits under the sink with its own filtration system. A genuine kitchen upgrade that looks premium and works brilliantly.
Tier 3 Cost Breakdown
| Item | Product Cost | Installation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey TwinTec S3 | £1,000-£1,800 | £500-£700 | £1,500-£2,500 |
| Aquabion on cold mains | £200-£350 | £100-£150 | £300-£500 |
| Franke Minerva 3-in-1 | £500-£800 | £300-£400 | £800-£1,200 |
| Total | £2,600-£4,200 | ||
Will's Honest Take
This is the setup I install most often in larger homes across Marlborough, Hungerford and the surrounding villages. The split-circuit approach — Harvey on hot, Aquabion on cold — is genuinely the best of both worlds. You get silky soft water in your bathroom without sodium in your drinking water. The Franke Minerva is a luxury addition but once you've got one you wonder how you lived without it. For anyone with an unvented cylinder (Megaflo, etc.), the softener on the hot circuit is particularly worthwhile — scale on those coils is expensive to fix. If I'm being honest, the Franke is optional at this tier — you could save £800-£1,200 by using a Water2 Pod instead and still have an excellent setup.
The Works
Everything for large and luxury homes — £3,500-£5,500 total
What's Included in The Works
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis
The gold standard for drinking water purity. Modern tankless RO systems like the Waterdrop G3P600 remove 99%+ of dissolved solids including fluoride, PFAS, nitrates, lead, and microplastics. Compact design fits under most sinks. Much more efficient than older RO systems — modern units waste far less water.
Kinetico Premier Softener
The premium alternative to Harvey. Kinetico uses water pressure to power its regeneration — no electricity needed. Twin-tank, non-electric, and exceptionally reliable. Often chosen for larger homes where the higher capacity and build quality justify the premium price. Comes with a 10-year warranty.
Tier 4 Cost Breakdown
| Item | Product Cost | Installation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey or Kinetico Softener | £1,000-£2,200 | £500-£800 | £1,500-£3,000 |
| Aquabion on cold mains | £200-£350 | £100-£150 | £300-£500 |
| Reverse Osmosis System | £250-£500 | £150-£300 | £400-£800 |
| 3-in-1 Boiling Water Tap | £500-£800 | £300-£400 | £800-£1,200 |
| Sediment Pre-Filter | £80-£150 | £70-£150 | £150-£300 |
| Total | £3,150-£5,800 | ||
Will's Honest Take
I'll be straight — this tier is overkill for most people. But for 4+ bed homes, particularly the larger properties around Ramsbury, Shalbourne, Inkpen, or King's Somborne, it makes genuine sense. If you've invested £30,000+ in a kitchen refurbishment, spending £4,000 on comprehensive water treatment protects that investment and gives you genuinely exceptional water quality. The Kinetico over the Harvey is a luxury upgrade — both do the job brilliantly, but the Kinetico is quieter and doesn't need an electricity supply. The RO system is the biggest “nice to have” here — for mains water homes, a good carbon filter already handles 95% of concerns. But if you want the purest possible drinking water, or you're on a private supply, the RO is the way to get it.
Quick Tier Comparison
All four tiers side by side so you can see the difference at a glance
| Feature | Tier 1: Budget | Tier 2: Smart | Tier 3: Premium | Tier 4: Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cost | £300-£500 | £800-£1,200 | £2,000-£3,500 | £3,500-£5,500 |
| Annual Running | £30-£50 | £50-£80 | £80-£150 | £150-£250 |
| Scale Prevention | 60-80% | 60-80% | 100% hot / 60-80% cold | 100% hot / 60-80% cold |
| Drinking Water | Basic filtration | Good filtration | Filtered boiling tap | RO purity + boiling tap |
| Soft Water Feel | No | No | Yes (hot only) | Yes (hot only) |
| Maintenance | Very low | Low | Medium | Medium-high |
| Best Home Size | Flat / 1-2 bed | 2-3 bed | 3-4 bed | 4+ bed / luxury |
Installation Process
What to expect when you book a water treatment installation with Rosebourne Plumbing
Free Assessment
I visit your property, check your water pressure, inspect the pipework, and discuss what matters most to you. No charge, no obligation. Takes about 30 minutes.
Quote & Plan
Within 48 hours you get a clear written quote with product costs, installation costs, and expected running costs. No hidden extras. I explain the options so you can choose with confidence.
Installation Day
Most Tier 1-2 setups are done in 1-3 hours. Tier 3-4 typically takes a full day. I turn off water briefly during connection, but plan the work to minimise disruption. Your home is left clean and tidy.
Testing & Handover
I test everything thoroughly, check for leaks, verify water quality, and show you how to do routine maintenance. You get a 12-month installation guarantee and my direct number for any questions.
Typical Installation Timelines
Maintenance Schedules
What each system needs to keep working at its best — and roughly what it costs
Water Conditioners (Aquabion / Halcyan)
Salt Water Softeners (Harvey / Kinetico)
Under-Sink Filters & Boiling Water Taps
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Andover, Marlborough & Hungerford homeowners about water treatment
What's the minimum water treatment I need in Hampshire?
At a minimum, an Aquabion or Halcyan water conditioner on your mains will reduce limescale buildup on pipes, appliances and heating elements. Add a basic under-sink filter like the TAPP EcoPro for better-tasting drinking water. That combination starts from around £400 installed and covers the essentials for our 300+ ppm hard water area.
Can I install water treatment myself?
Some products are DIY-friendly. The TAPP EcoPro screws onto your tap in minutes, and countertop filters need no plumbing at all. However, anything that connects to your mains water — conditioners, softeners, under-sink filters, reverse osmosis systems — benefits from professional installation. Incorrect fitting can void warranties and cause leaks. I always recommend professional installation for mains-connected products.
How long does installation take?
A simple conditioner or under-sink filter takes 1-2 hours. A water softener typically takes half a day including pipework modifications. A full Tier 3 or Tier 4 setup with softener, conditioner on a separate circuit and boiling water tap usually takes a full day. I always explain the timeline before starting so there are no surprises.
Do water conditioners actually work?
Yes, but they work differently to softeners. Conditioners like the Aquabion and Halcyan change the structure of limescale so it doesn't stick as aggressively to pipes and heating elements. They won't make your water feel soft like a Harvey softener does, but they do reduce scale buildup by 60-80% without salt, electricity or wastewater. For many homes they're the smart middle ground.
Is reverse osmosis worth it for drinking water?
If you want the purest possible drinking water, yes. RO removes 99%+ of dissolved solids including fluoride, PFAS, nitrates and microplastics. The trade-off is it also removes beneficial minerals and produces some wastewater. For most Hampshire homes on mains water, a good carbon block filter removes the things that actually matter (chlorine, lead, microplastics) at a fraction of the cost. RO is most justified for private water supplies or if you have specific contaminant concerns.
What maintenance is needed?
It varies by tier. Tier 1 needs a filter cartridge change every 3-6 months (around £20-30). Tier 2 is similar. Tier 3 with a salt softener needs salt topping up every 4-8 weeks (£8-10 per bag) plus annual filter changes. Tier 4 adds RO membrane replacement every 2-3 years. None of it is complicated — I always show you how to do routine maintenance when I install.
Will water treatment affect my water pressure?
Most modern systems have minimal impact. Water conditioners like the Aquabion have no measurable pressure drop — water passes straight through. Salt softeners reduce flow very slightly but it's rarely noticeable in normal use. Under-sink filters only affect the single tap they're connected to. The only system that noticeably reduces flow is reverse osmosis, which is why RO systems include a pressurised storage tank.
Can I add to my system later?
Absolutely — and this is one of the best things about a tiered approach. Start with Tier 1 (conditioner + basic filter) and upgrade to Tier 2 or 3 later. I always plan installations with future expansion in mind, so adding a softener or upgrading your filter later is straightforward. Many of my customers in Andover and Marlborough started with a conditioner and added a softener a year or two later.
Ready to Improve Your Water?
Whether you're starting with Tier 1 or going straight to The Works, I'll help you choose the right setup for your home and budget. Free assessment, honest advice, and a 12-month installation guarantee on everything I fit.
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