Water quality

Water quality

Drinking water quality
Problem with drinking water quality
Private water supplies
River and underground water quality
Reporting water pollution

Drinking water

Drinking water quality in England and Wales is regulated by the government through the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). Their main job is to check that the water companies in England and Wales supply water that is safe to drink and meets the standards set in the Water Quality Regulations.

DWI water quality leaflets (external link)

What do I do if I have a problem with my drinking water?

You may now and again have a problem with your drinking water. It should be clear and bright. If it looks cloudy or discoloured or tastes different or smells funny then contact your water company. Enquiry and emergency numbers are listed under WATER in your Telephone Directory. If there seems to be an immediate risk to health the water company should take action immediately.

If you feel that the water company is not investigating your complaint you can also contact the Drinking Water Inspectorate and they will investigate.
Drinking Water Inspectorate,
Room M03
55 Whitehall,
London, SW1A 2EY
Telephone : 020 7270 3370
Facsimile : 020 7270 3177
E-mail: dwi.enquiries@defra.gsi.gov.uk

If your drinking water is not supplied by a water company and you have a private water supply, then you should contact Environmental Health regarding any problems

Private water supplies

Private supplies are those not provided by a water company – i.e. not connected to a mains pipe (for example a borehole into an underground water supply or from a surface reservoir).

Local councils are required to monitor the quality of private water supplies for uses such as to houses, hospitals, hostels, camp sites and anywhere that food is being mass produced using a private water supply. Where quality is found to be below standard, the Council has to ensure that the necessary action is taken to remedy this.

The Council is also required to keep a register of all private water supplies in their area.

If you are interested in accessing the register of private water supplies or have a problem with your private water supply please contact Environmental Health.

For more information on the types of private water supplies, the types of contamination that can affect supplies and about keeping supplies safe can be found on the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s website(external link).

River and underground water quality

Many human activities and their by-products have the potential to pollute water. Large and small industrial enterprises, the water industry, agriculture, horticulture, transport, and deliberate or accidental pollution incidents all affect water quality.

The Environment Agency is an independent body responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of fresh, marine, surface and underground water throughout the whole of England and Wales. They aim to prevent or reduce the risk of water pollution wherever possible, and to ensure that it gets cleaned up if pollution occurs that might lead to effects on ecosystems or people.

What can I do if I spot water pollution?

Pollution events such as oil spills or the accidental release of raw sewage can harm the environment. These events can kill fish and other waterlife, and can threaten human health. Other events, such as fly-tipping, degrade our neighbourhoods and spoil the countryside.

Members of the public can report the majority of pollution incidents through the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Incident Hotline – tel: 0800 80 70 60.