Is it safe to drink tap water?

can you drink tap water

For those of us old enough to remember package holidays out to Spain in the 1980’s from the Costa Blanca to Ibiza, we were always cautious regarding drinking the tap water and it certainly used to taste not very nice. Is it clean? Filtered? Washing water only? Can you brush your teeth with it? Should we boil it first? Let’s get some bottle water from the local store and use that instead eh!

Today most tap water is safe to drink in westernised countries with many others requiring boiling of the water first before drinking and of course many more countries will be without tap water of any kind. In the UK we are safe in thinking that tap water is good to drink be it hard or soft, but is that really the situation? Many consumers chose to use filters for their tap water wishing to fully purify what they drink with an element of fear towards the quality of the water and it’s health and safety levels. Households across the UK have converted to using shop bought bottle water for what they drink (our house has been doing this for the last few years).

Another fact to consider is that many older houses and their plumbing supply taps with tank water which is filled from the mains so then you’ve water sitting there for longer periods of time that can be rather unpleasant to drink – Some water tanks can also be missing lids and have goodness knows what dropping in and adding to what you are pouring out from your taps.

How many consumers still drink the tap water from home? I put this question out on to Twitter and had a decent response with most people admitting to being happy to drink water from the tap at home:

is it safe to drink tap water survey

Is it safe to drink tap water survey on Twitter

 

Most people from the survey I put out on Twitter, 66.4% of 259 votes, said that they drink water from the tap at home and only 18.1% saying that they do not.

Comments included:

I’m in Spain, but I drank tap water every day in the UK”  Tweet

I always drink tap water, but filter it first”  Tweet

Never”  Tweet

 

In the UK it is seen as being safe to drink tap water unless your water supplier tells you otherwise – If your tap water is suddenly discoloured you should not assume that it is safe to drink until you
have sought advice from your water company. Most times when water appears cloudy or even an orange / brown colour to seeing tiny particles floating about, it will be due to the likes of a broken pipe / pump and will be quickly corrected. You are advised to contact your local water board / supplier if you see any changes in the appearance of your tap water. Water boards are known to be constantly testing the quality of the water they supply with some doing so up to 100 times daily.

Though tap water in the UK is seen as one of the cleanest in the world there are still issues to consider such as known risks of it including chlorine by-products, microplastics and lead from old pipes.

187 countries where you can NOT drink tap water because it’s not safe

 

 

 

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

How to Become an Estate Agent with No Experience

Breaking into the property industry can seem intimidating – especially if you’ve never worked in it before. But the good news? You don’t need years of experience or fancy qualifications to start a career as an estate agent in the UK. In fact, many successful estate agents started with no background in property at all.…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Estate Agent Talk

9 Advantages of Selling Your House by Auction

Selling your house by auction might seem like a daunting prospect, but it comes with numerous advantages that can make it a highly attractive option. While the traditional method of selling through an estate agent has its place, auctions are increasingly becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking for a swift and reliable sale. Here…
Read More
Breaking News

Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG

With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice. LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware…
Read More
Home and Living

Perfume Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Fragrances Fresh

Perfumes are sensitive compositions that can be significantly affected by how they are stored. Proper storage ensures that your favorite fragrances stay fresh and maintain their intended scent profile. In this article, we’ll explore practical, fun, and effective tips to help you preserve your perfumes in perfect condition. Understanding the Sensitivity of Perfumes Perfumes are…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning. The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More