Can you drink tap water in the UK? Good question!
As a former chemist at a UK water company and avid traveller, this guide is full of everything you need to know about drinking tap water in the UK.
Drinking water is essential so it’s good to know if you can actually drink it at your new destination.
No matter if it’s a trip to the UK or Asia, it is so important to travel safely. The good news is you can BUT you will find the quality and taste are different through the UK.
To help you avoid getting sick from unsafe water, let’s take a look at everything you need for a healthy trip!
✅ To guarantee the water you are drinking is 100% safe, take The GRAYL GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle on your trip with you!
Planning A Trip To The UK? Use The Resources Below!
► Accommodation– I Recommend Booking.Com
► Local Tours– I Recommend Viator.Com
► Car Rental– I Always Use DiscoverCars.Com
Can you drink all tap water in the UK?
Yes, you can drink tap water in the UK. It’s completely free too so you should make the most of it!
The water does taste different across the UK and it sometimes can take a bit of time to get used to.
To make sure you are drinking safe water in the UK, I highly recommend The GRAYL GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle.
This is the perfect way to make sure you don’t get sick when drinking tap water all over the world. I take mine everywhere and it has never let me down!
You can fill up your water bottles on the go almost anywhere in the UK so make sure you bring a water bottle with you. For those looking for the best travel water bottle on the go, the ONTA Collapsible Water Bottle is a fantastic option!
The UK has very strict regulations about drinking water quality and every water company has to follow these.
No matter what tap water you are using, all drinking water must meet strict bacterial and chemical standards before it reaches your tap.
However, if you are travelling through different parts of the UK you will notice the tap water will taste different. This is simply due to the water ‘hardness’ in different regions.
Water companies throughout the UK are also required to provide reports and results surrounding the water quality of your local drinking water.
This is also the case in most destinations in Europe too!
How can you tell if tap water is safe to drink in the UK?
If you want to know if your water is safe before drinking it, there is a simple way to tell.
The water that comes out of the tap should have no colour or smell.
If it does, do not drink the tap water and contact the water company or place where you are staying.
Sometimes it’s an easy fix like letting your tap run a little longer but this should be investigated.
It’s essential to note that water quality can vary even within a country, and the standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) are applied uniformly across the UK.
What is in UK Tap Water?
I’m an expert in this as I used to test it to make sure all the levels were safe for people to use.
Apart from the main component of Water, you will find a few other things in your drinking water throughout the UK. Don’t worry, these levels are perfectly safe and monitored constantly!
The primary components found in UK tap water include:
Minerals:
Various minerals are present in tap water, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. These minerals are essential for human health.
Chlorine:
Chlorine is commonly added to tap water as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
Fluoride:
In some areas, fluoride is added to tap water to promote dental health by preventing tooth decay.
Trace Elements:
Small amounts of trace elements like copper, zinc, and iron may be present in tap water.
pH Level:
The pH level of tap water is typically regulated to ensure it falls within a safe and acceptable range. The pH level can influence the taste and corrosiveness of water.
Can you drink water from any tap in the house UK?
There is a lot of constant testing and regulations around drinking water in the UK. This means you can drink tap water from any tap on your propery.
You will also be perfectly safe using the water in any UK hotel or Airbnb. However, if it is not safe to drink, there will be a sign above the tap saying it’s not drinking water.
Tap water vs bottled water UK
A lot of people believe that bottled water is much better than what comes out of the tap.
However, there isn’t a lot of strong evidence around this. Drinking tap water in the UK is completely safe and a much cheaper option than buying bottled water.
Some areas in the UK have a lot better-tasting drinking water than others (Personally I think Wales is one of the best).
Some people may opt for bottled water over tap water as they prefer the taste. It just comes down to personal preference.
Can you drink tap water in the UK FAQs?
I’m sure you have come up with a few more questions about using the tap water on your trip. To help you answer these other questions, take a look at the most frequently asked questions.
Can I drink from the bathroom tap UK?
You can absolutely drink tap water from the bathroom tap here!
However, if you have an older home you may want to just double check the pipping.
Some homes also have really unique plumbing and the water for the bathroom and kitchen comes from a different system.
If you are unsure if your water is okay, just give it a quick smell and look at the colour. If you can’t smell anything and the water is clear, you should be fine. If you want to be 100% certain, contact a local plumber.
Is it worth filtering tap water UK?
As you can drink tap water in the UK, It is probably not worth filtering it. The water quality in the UK is up there with the best and is regularly tested.
However, if you don’t love the water taste or smell from the mains, filtering your tap water can help.
Should you run tap water before drinking in the UK?
Generally, it’s pretty good practice to run the tap for about 30 seconds before drinking it in the UK.
Even though you don’t have to, it’s always a good idea. It helps clear anything that might be in your tap and system before you take a drink. To make sure you are drinking safe tap water, don’t drink from the hot water tap as bacteria are more likely to be present.
Can you drink tap water in London, UK?
It is perfectly safe to drink tap water in London.
This includes using it to wash salads and to brush your teeth.
However, depending on where you come from you may not like the water taste as hard water is found across the city. (I personally think the water in London doesn’t taste great compared to my home town)
Can you drink tap water in London hotels?
You can safely drink tap water in London, including the hotels.
If the water isn’t safe to drink, there will be a sign by the sink telling you not to drink it. Most hotels will give you bottled water if this is the case so you won’t have to go without water or a cup of tea.
However, the water taste isn’t the best in London compared to the rest of the UK, so you may want to filter your water or drink bottled water.
Is bottled water just tap water UK?
You may be thinking should I drink tap water or just go for bottled?
Bottled water comes from a variety of different sources and some of these are exactly the same as where tap water comes from.
It will be the same water source but the mineral content has been enhanced. This is different from company to company though. If you are curious to see where your bottled water has come from, just check the bottle.
Many people think that the water tastes better from a bottle, but 99% of the time tastes the same as the water you can get straight from your tap.
UK Drinking Water Final Thoughts
You will find some incredibly stunning landscapes across the UK which helps to explain why the water here is safe to drink!
Most of the water across the regions comes from reservoirs, groundwater reserves and other natural sources which are not only good quality but tested a lot.
However, you need to be aware that the water will taste different depending where you are because some regions have hard water, others soft.
To make sure the water you use tastes pleasant, it’s a good idea to take a filter with you, just incase.
Helpful Information for travelling to and around the UK
The UK has some amazing places to visit, so make sure you don’t miss out by booking some day trips and tours. Here are some of the most popular things to do in the UK:
Did you find this article useful? Here are some more articles to help you make the most of the UK:
The Best Places To Stay In Cornwall
When is the best time to visit Wales?
What you should wear to a trip to Europe
Can Americans Drive In The UK?
Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
