Access to clean water is fundamental for our health and well-being. So, It’s no surprise that many homeowners are curious about what’s in their tap water and whether it’s safe to drink.
To put it simply, it’s safe to drink UK tap water, as it has passed 99.7% of tests and meets cleanliness and water-quality standards. This means it’s been scientifically proven to be clean and safe for regular consumption.
If you’re still a bit sceptical or you want to learn more about what’s in UK tap water and where it comes from, we’ll explore the properties of tap water, its impact on health, and more in the blog.
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Key takeaways
- UK tap water is safe to drink in most homes and businesses, as it’s treated, tested, and regulated before reaching your taps.
- UK tap water comes from sources such as reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers before going through several treatment stages.
- Liverpool tap water is safe to drink and is generally softer than tap water in many southern areas of England.
- British tap water is regulated by bodies such as the Drinking Water Inspectorate, with rules covering bacteria, chemicals, taste, smell, and appearance.
- Common concerns such as chlorine, fluoride, limescale, lead, and PFAS are carefully monitored, although older plumbing can sometimes affect the water coming from your tap.
- You should avoid drinking tap water if it looks brown or black, smells strongly of chemicals or sewage, has visible particles, tastes metallic, or if your supplier has told you not to drink it.
Is tap water safe to drink?
Yes! Tap water in the UK is completely safe to drink since public water supplies are treated to remove harmful bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and other impurities before being sent through the mains network to homes and businesses.
It’s perfectly fine to drink it, use it for cooking, and brush your teeth with it. If you’re worried about the fact that tap water in the UK can vary in taste and smell and what that means, it’s a natural thing that happens, as there are two types of tap water: hard and soft.
Local water sources, mineral levels, household plumbing, and whether your area has hard or soft water can all affect the drinking experience.
Where does UK tap water come from?
UK Tap Water comes from a variety of sources, including reservoirs, rivers, and aquifers. Before the water reaches your taps, though, it’s collected, treated, stored, and distributed through a managed supply network, where its quality is checked and contaminants are removed.
In England, most public drinking water comes from surface water sources such as rivers and reservoirs, with a smaller percentage coming from groundwater aquifers. In fact, GOV.UK states that approximately 99% of England’s population receives a public water supply from a water company.
In Liverpool and Merseyside, water supplies have long been associated with Lake Vyrnwy and other sources serving the North West, such as the River Thames and the River Severn.
Hard water vs soft water
Water hardness varies across the UK depending on where it’s sourced. In the southeast, water tends to be harder due to contact with limestone and chalk, which add calcium and magnesium to the water.
Soft water is more common in the North and West, where it flows over impermeable rocks like granite. Areas with lower rainfall rely more on underground sources for tap water, which affects the availability and quality of the water.
Soft water usually has a lighter taste, creates less limescale, and can feel different when washing, so while it’s preferred by many, both hard and soft water are safe to drink.
Can you drink tap water in Liverpool?
Yes, as in anywhere else in the UK, tap water is safe to drink in Liverpool unless United Utilities has issued a specific local notice advising otherwise.
United Utilities cleans, disinfects, and carefully tests drinking water before it reaches customers’ taps, and you can even check the quality of your tap water by entering your postcode here.
Tap water in Liverpool is also known to be softer than in many areas in the South of England, so it’s less likely to leave heavy limescale in kettles, taps, and appliances.
The treatment process of UK tap water
UK tap water goes through various processes to ensure it’s safe for consumption.
These steps help remove natural debris, harmful microorganisms, chemical contaminants, and anything that could affect the taste, smell, or appearance of your tap water.
1. Initial filtration
Raw water from rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater goes through a screening process to remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and organic matter.
After this, the water is placed in large settlement tanks to allow any heavier particles, like sand and silt, to settle at the bottom.
2. Chemical treatment
The water is then disinfected to remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Chlorine is commonly used for this because it helps keep the water safe as it travels through the pipe network.
In some areas of the UK, fluoride is also added to support dental health. Then, the water’s pH is adjusted to prevent pipe corrosion by adding lime or sodium hydroxide.
3. Advanced treatments
If the water needs further purification, additional processes such as microfiltration, activated carbon filtration, membrane filtration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, or UV treatment can be used to remove contaminants and destroy bacteria and viruses.
These processes can help remove smaller particles, pesticides, organic chemicals, and other substances that may be present in the original water source.
4. Testing and quality control
Water is regularly tested for bacteria, chemical levels, clarity, taste, odour, and other quality indicators to make sure drinking water continues to meet strict legal standards.
Businesses are required to share their results with regulatory bodies and the public for full transparency before supplying them. The Drinking Water Inspectorate also regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales.
5. Final processing
UK tap water undergoes final filtration before entering the distribution system to make sure it’s clear of impurities and safe to drink.
Sometimes, this includes aeration to improve its smell and taste. Water is then stored and sent through the mains network to homes and businesses.
UK tap water regulations and standards
UK tap water must meet various regulations and standards to be deemed safe to drink before it can be supplied to the public.
So, if you’re wondering, ‘Is British tap water safe to drink?’ Then you’ll be happy to know these regulations are one of the main reasons British tap water is considered among the safest in the world.
Government Regulations
- The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI): It must adhere to DWI, the main body responsible for the quality of drinking water in England and Wales.
- Legislative framework: UK tap water must follow the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 in England and its counterparts in other UK nations. This sets standards for microbiological and chemical parameters, as well as for taste, odour, and appearance.
- Role of local authorities: Local authorities play a role in monitoring the safety standards of private water supplies.
Compliance with EU Standards
- EU drinking water directive: The water quality legislation was originally derived from the EU Drinking Water Directive, which still stands after leaving the EU.
- Post-Brexit regulations: Certain provisions of the EU Act 2018 remain in force, which sets out standards for the quality of UK tap water. The environment bill also sets standards for the UK water supply to aim for environmental protection and sustainability.
Health considerations for UK tap water
Is tap water bad for you?
As we’ve previously discussed, tap water is treated, tested, and safe to drink.
In fact, drinking tap water is a healthy, affordable, and convenient way to stay hydrated in the UK. It’s okay to worry about what’s in your tap water; however, most concerns are linked to taste, limescale, chlorine, fluoride, lead, microplastics, or older pipework.
If you are still anxious about drinking from the tap, you can invest in water filter jugs from your local shop or install one of our home water coolers for a constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water.
Chemicals and Contaminants
Chlorine is added to tap water to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. Without it, tap water wouldn’t be safe enough to consume.
There are concerns about the amount of chlorine added, as it can produce compounds such as trihalomethanes (THMs). However, the level of chlorine added is regulated to minimise health risks. Fluoride is also carefully monitored once it’s added to prevent tooth decay.
Lead in UK tap water is also a concern, as even low levels are harmful, particularly for pregnant women and children. However, ongoing efforts are underway to replace lead piping in the UK, and phosphate treatments are being used in water to prevent lead dissolution.
PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals”, are also being monitored more closely. The Drinking Water Inspectorate reported that companies carried out more than 770,000 analyses for individual PFAS in 2024, with no Tier 3 samples found in treated water supplied to consumers.
Health benefits of UK tap water
There are various health benefits of drinking UK tap water, and with it being so easily accessible, why let it go to waste?
- Hydration and health: Water plays a vital role in functions like digestion, circulation, absorption, and temperature regulation. It’s also an excellent form of hydration, maintaining energy levels, cognitive function, and overall physical health.
- Essential minerals: UK tap water is a source of calcium and magnesium, especially in hard water. These are essential for cardiovascular function and bone health.
- Balanced mineral content: Mineral content in UK tap water is well balanced, contributing to the recommended daily nutrient intake.
- Dental health: Fluoridated water prevents tooth decay and decreases the chance of oral diseases.
Can you drink from the bathroom tap?
In many modern homes, bathroom tap water comes from the same mains supply as the kitchen tap, so it’s fine to drink water from the bathroom sink.
However, the best choice for drinking water is usually the cold kitchen tap, as bathroom taps may be connected to internal pipework, storage tanks, or fittings that are used less often.
WaterSafe advises that the kitchen tap is typically the recommended choice for drinking because household plumbing can influence water quality.
When should you avoid drinking UK tap water?
Tap water is perfectly fine to drink in the UK unless your supplier or local authority tells you not to. This may happen during a local water quality incident, a burst main, a contamination risk, or planned maintenance in your area.
Aside from that, you may notice that your water looks a little weird or tastes off. If you notice any of these things, it’s best to contact your local water supplier to come and inspect your water system:
- Your water is brown or black, or contains visible particles.
- It smells strongly of chemicals, fuel or sewage.
- It has a sudden metallic taste.
- Issues continue after running the tap.
- You live in an older property and suspect lead pipework.
Enjoy fresh, filtered water from Cool Water Company
If you’ve tried out tap water and you’ve decided that it’s just not for you, then there are plenty of other options available.
At Cool Water Company, we pride ourselves on helping homes and businesses enjoy clean, refreshing, and convenient drinking water for staff, customers, and visitors.
We sell modern bottled-water coolers, mains-fed water coolers, and hot-water dispensers, so you can enjoy tasty spring water or fresh, filtered water straight from your mains supply.
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