In the UK, the areas with the worst-tasting tap water are generally found in the South and East of England—specifically Norwich, Leicester, Southampton, London, and Birmingham—due to high levels of hardness, minerals, and chalk. These areas often have higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium.
While UK tap water is generally safe, areas in the South and East, like Norwich, Leicester, Southampton, London, and Birmingham, often rank as having the worst tasting water due to hardness from chalk/limestone, though some reports also flag Wessex Water and United Utilities (North West) for poor quality/taste, and pollution hotspots exist, notably PFAS near Duxford/Cambridge and past contamination issues in the North.
Florida leads the country with the most amount of lead pipes – a new study from the EPA estimated that there are 1.16 million lead pipes in use in the state, accounting for 12.6% of the country's total.
Florida, particularly Miami, also has the second highest levels of PFAS in its tap water in the country.
In 2023, 199 untreated drinking water samples were found to be above 100 nanograms per litre for individual PFAS, the DWI's maximum acceptable threshold in guidelines for treated tap water. Water is then treated or blended with clean water to ensure it does not reach taps at this level.
Switzerland. If you've ever been to Switzerland, it probably won't surprise you that the alpine nation is home to some of the world's cleanest tap water. ...
Tap water is safe to drink in the UK. In fact, the quality of tap water in the UK is one of the best in the world. While water from the mains connection in your kitchen is safe to drink, the same cannot be said of the water in your bathroom.
A new study by AllClear has uncovered the world's best-tasting tap water, as voted by travellers on Reddit.
Scotland, Norway and Switzerland are home to the tastiest tap water in Europe, while Canada's British Columbia and the USA's New York City are most delicious in North America.
Out of all the countries measured under the EEA standards, which includes some non EU countries, Albania ranks the worst, with 22.9% of its bathing waters rated as poor.
That's right - the tap water of each country has been tested and it turns out Scottish tap water comes out on top. Scottish Water, the supplier of most of the tap water across Scotland, is strict about its water standards, drawing from a wide variety of reservoirs and rivers to supply the good Scottish people.
For most people in the UK, tap water is generally as safe, if not safer, healthier, and definitely cheaper and more eco-friendly than bottled water, as UK tap water undergoes stricter, more frequent testing than bottled varieties, though taste preferences and older plumbing (like lead pipes) can be factors. While bottled water can offer specific minerals or better taste for some, it's often just treated tap water, adding plastic waste and cost without significant health advantages, and may even contain microplastics.
The following advice will help you reduce your risk of becoming ill from germs in food and water. Tap water in the UK is generally safe to drink but if you have a very low CD4 cell count you need to take extra steps to ensure you don't get an infection from it.
In the 2021 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), the UK ranked 4th overall for water and sanitation. This index is an evaluation of 180 countries across 24 performance indicators, including water quality.
Chile. Did you know that the very cleanest water in the world is located in Puerto Williams, Chile? That was recently discovered by scientists at the universities of Texas and Chile. They have collaborated on research into the cleanliness of water resources in the world.
While subjective, surveys and user opinions frequently name Scotland (especially Glasgow/Dundee) as having the UK's best tap water, followed by the South West (Bristol) and Yorkshire (Leeds), often due to softer water; conversely, areas like London, Birmingham, and Norwich are often cited for harder, less palatable water.
It's important to note that the federal government does not require bottled water to be safer than tap. In fact, just the opposite is true in many cases. Tap water in most big cities must be disinfected, filtered to remove pathogens, and tested for cryptosporidium and giardia viruses. Bottled water does not have to be.
You don't need to filter tap water in the UK for safety, as it meets strict regulations and is generally excellent, but filtering can improve taste, smell (removing chlorine), reduce limescale in hard water areas, and offer peace of mind against trace contaminants like microplastics or pesticides, making it a worthwhile upgrade for many households.
Tap water sealed in an air-tight bottle or container can remain safe to drink for up to 6 months if stored properly. However, the type of container and how well it's sealed play a significant role in preserving the water, so this timing can differ greatly.
According to the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), tap water in the UK is treated to some of the strictest levels, with only Italy and Singapore having safer drinking water. The US comes ninth in the world, with Canada 12th and France 13th.
What is the top 5 best drinking water in the world?
The Top 5 Best Tasting Waters
Smart Water. Smart Water is bottled still water that is further enriched with electrolytes. ...
Mountain Valley. “Back to the source,” says the Mountain Valley's motto, and when you take a sip from this bottled water you'd know what they mean. ...
