In the UK our drinking water is of the highest standard, at a record level of quality and among the best in the world. We can turn on our taps with the certainty of a safe, clean and refreshing supply.
• Quality standards
• UK drinking water quality reports
• How water quality is assured
• Technical briefings
• Water for Health
UK water suppliers place the highest priority on assuring the quality of water provided to their customers. Strict standards for the quality of the public supply are laid down in national regulations derived from the EU Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC). These standards are based on advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) and are regularly reviewed.
- Latest figures for drinking water quality compliance with the strict UK and European standards are:
England and Wales 99.96%
Scotland 99.66%
Northern Ireland 99.76%
Water quality is closely checked and regulated by independent drinking water inspectorates in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
UK drinking water quality reports
| Latest reports | |
| England & Wales | Drinking Water Inspectorate (2007)
Published June 2008 Water UK statement |
| Scotland | Drinking Water Quality Regulator Scotland (2006) Published August 2007 |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Drinking Water Inspectorate
(2006) Published December 2007 |
| EU and WHO standards | EU Drinking Water Directive
WHO guidelines for drinking water quality |
Water suppliers have risk assessment and risk management procedures in place to ensure drinking water quality standards are met. These procedures are being developed to work in a more holistic way – focusing on the whole of the water supply chain from source to tap. This concept is called water safety plans (WSPs) and is endorsed by the WHO.
The WSP approach also requires that other stakeholders play their part in assuring water quality. This includes managing the protection of water sources and understanding the roles and responsibilities for assuring water quality in buildings, including households.
Tap water is carefully managed to ensure that it is consistently safe, clean and acceptable to consumers. The greatest concern for water supplies is still the danger of pathogenic microorganisms that can come from a number of different sources in the environment. Water supplies have a range of barriers (the multiple barrier approach) designed to prevent such contamination
UK publishes detailed briefings and technical backgrounds on water quality assurance and management of specific substances.
Our drinking water is of the highest quality and exceptionally affordable, averaging 50 glasses (10 litres) for a penny. This provides access for all in the UK to the best source for hydration.
The Water for Health initiative was launched by Water UK in 2002 to raise public awareness of issues surrounding water provision and hydration and to improve access for all to our high quality drinking water supply – in schools, hospitals, care homes, prisons, public places and the workplace.
Find out more
Drinking water quality
Technical briefings
How the quality of drinking water is assured
Access technical briefing papers here
Water UK, May 2007
Quality regulators
Drinking Water Inspectorate
England & Wales
Drinking Water Quality Regulator
Scotland
Drinking Water Inspectorate
Northern Ireland
Water Safety Plans
WHO Water Safety Plans
Managing drinking water safety from catchment to consumer
WHO 2005
EU standards
Stakeholder news
Monthly e-news on drinking water from Water UK
Water for Health
Hydration factsheets
Hydration and healthy ageing pdf
Kids run on water too! pdf
Water in the workplace pdf
Water and cancer prevention pdf
Water for Health website
