WATER makes up 60 per cent of our bodies and without it we cannot function.

Experts recommend we consume two litres of water a day but people living in Slough would rather drink bottled water, a new study shows.

Data from ViDrate shows Slough has some of the hardest water in the UK.

The map has colour coded areas depending on the softness and hardness of water.

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Slough appears yellow on the map due to having hard water, provided by Thames Water.

The UK hard and softwater map

The UK hard and softwater map

Water has also been analysed across the UK in ViDrates Water Index to reveal why our water tastes so different from region to region, the areas with the worst water issues and where has the most added fluoride

Hard water has a more distinct taste and texture because of its high mineral content including calcium, magnesium and iron.

Soft water is considered the best in taste thanks to its more neutral flavour.

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Thames Water said Slough's water often wins blind tastes tests. 

A spokesman said: “We carry out over half a million quality tests each year to make sure our water is of the highest quality, and it often wins blind taste tests.

“If you were to dig deep into the ground around our region, you’d find lots of soft rock like chalky limestone. When your drinking water seeps through this rock, it collects traces of natural minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium. This is what makes it hard and gives it a distinctive great taste.

“Research suggests that hard water could be good for you and its mineral levels add to your daily calcium intake, which is essential for healthy growth.”

Areas also benefit from added fluoride into the water to prevent tooth decay.

Despite being presented as a controversial subject, research shows that among children aged one to four, hospital admissions due to tooth decay are 50 per cent less in fluoridated areas.

Berkshire ranked in sixth place for having the most fluoride in water, with six areas in the county having added fluoride.

Birmingham, Tyneside and Doncaster have the most fluoridated water in the UK to prevent tooth decay.

Areas in the UK have also been identified for having the most issues with its water.

According to the latest data, the biggest water issue was in Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside where 659,835 people were at risk of Cryptosporidium contamination.

In Southampton and the Isle of Wight, E.coli has been detected in the final water.