Is Tap Water Bad for You in UK?

Knowledge about the origin of tap water can significantly inform one about the quality. In the UK, tap water essentially consists of surface water and groundwater.

Surface water sources include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. They account for two-thirds of the water used in the UK. Urban centers such as London and Manchester depend mainly on surface water stored in reservoirs. Organizations like Thames Water and United Utilities manage the reservoirs.

The other sources of water include groundwater that is derived from aquifers as well as natural springs. Some areas, like the East of England, get more of their water from the groundwater compared to the surface water sources.

Every water source has some unique features that can sometimes affect the taste, hardness, or mineral content.

Before reaching your tap, water has to pass many stages of treatment in order to meet strict UK water quality standards.

The raw water first goes through a screening process to remove the large materials like leaves and branches. Aluminium sulphate chemicals are used to bind the smaller materials together to form large flocs.

The water is subsequently passed through sedimentation tanks where the heavier materials fall to the bottom. This is followed by filtration through sand, gravel, and sometimes activated carbon.

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Chlorine or UV light is employed to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. Care is taken to ensure the disinfectants used are safe for consumption.

The pH level of water can be altered in order to prevent corrosives. In some parts of the UK, fluoride has been added to promote dental health.

Moreover, the water that has been treated is conveyed to houses and offices through a network of pipes that stretch thousands of miles.

The quick answer is yes. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) checks the water companies to ensure that tap water in the UK reaches safe levels. Tap water is tested for:

• E. coli bacteria like microbes.
• Heavy metals like lead.
• Nitrates, pesticides, and industrial chemicals

Even under such close monitoring, changes in taste or odor are sometimes noticed. In some instances, this can be due to hard water or the chlorine used in treatment. In other cases, the reason can even be old pipes.

UK tap water can be considered safe. However, certain issues tend to arise.

In hard water, the calcium and magnesium content is higher. Hard water can:

• Leave the limescale in kettles and appliances
• Decrease the effectiveness of soap and detergent
• Affect the taste of tea, coffee, and other beverages

Though hard water isn't harmful to health, many people find that the water tastes and functions better when softened.

Chlorine chloride can sometimes be used as a disinfectant for water. Chlorine can pass through tap water when it has been used to disinfecting water. Chlorine can come through tap water as:

• Fluoride (for dental use)
• Lead (primarily from old plumbing)
• Microplastics (environmental pollution)

Although the amounts of these contaminants are trace amounts that are strictly regulated, some households choose to filter their water as an additional safety and taste measure.

In some cases, tap water can taste "metallic" or "chlorinous" due to:

• Chlorine residues used for disinfection
• Copper or lead leaching from pipes
• Stagnant water present in less frequently used pipes

Letting the tap water flow for a few seconds or passing the water through a carbon or RO filter can greatly increase the taste and odor. In the UK, water filtration systems like Waterdrop RO systems come in handy.

Despite the safety of tap water in the UK, some advantages of water filtration systems at home exist:

• Enhanced taste and smell
• Removal of Chlorine, Heavy Metals, Micro-Plastics, and PFAS
• Protection against hard water buildup

Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis Systems provides a multi-stage filtration system that can filter up to 99% of pollutants and retain vital minerals. For smaller households or those renting their homes, the Waterdrop Countertop RO offers the same level of filtration without the burden of installation.

Water authorities in the UK give information about water quality on their websites. Main companies involved are:

• Thames Water (London and South East)
• Severn Trent Water (Midlands)
• Scottish Water
• Yorkshire Water
• Welsh Water

Use your postcode on their websites to find the latest water analysis results. They will contain details of the water's pH, hardness, chlorine levels, and any pollutants found.