What You’re Missing About the UK’s Water Crisis

Expert shares overlooked signs your tap water might not be as clean as you think.

As public outrage grows over sewage spills, poor infrastructure and chemical contamination in UK water supplies, food safety expert Mark McShane from Food Hygiene Certificate is warning that the real risk to health may be less obvious – and often overlooked.

“Most people only worry if their water looks or smells strange,” says McShane. “But there are several silent risks, from bacterial contamination to PFAS chemicals, that can go completely unnoticed without testing or awareness.”

The hidden risks in your tap water:

‘Forever chemicals’ (PFAS)

• Found in firefighting foam, non-stick pans and water-repellent materials, PFAS chemicals have been detected in over 90% of UK rivers and drinking water sources.
• Linked to hormone disruption, immune suppression and certain cancers.
• The UK has no legal limit on PFAS in drinking water – unlike the US and EU.

Outdated plumbing materials

• Homes built before 1970 may still have lead pipes or water tanks that feed bathroom taps.
• Water sitting in metal pipes or unsealed tanks can accumulate bacteria and heavy metals – especially overnight.
• If your water tastes metallic or smells like rubber, it could be leaching materials from pipes.

Biofilm and bacteria build-up

• Bacteria like Legionella and E. coli can thrive in stagnant or poorly flushed water systems, especially in guest bathrooms or garden taps.
• Even new-builds can suffer if systems aren’t flushed regularly.
  
• “If a tap hasn’t been run in a week, run it for at least 2 minutes before using it for food or drink,” says McShane.

Coliform and cryptosporidium outbreaks

• 16,000 homes were told to boil their water in Devon earlier this year after faecal contamination entered the supply.
  
  
  
• “Boil water” notices often go under the radar if people aren’t actively watching their water provider’s site.
• Many people only find out days later – long after using the water for brushing teeth or baby formula.

Signs something might be wrong:

• Water has a sweet, musty, or chemical smell
• Stains on sinks or kettles (orange, brown or black)
• Low water pressure that comes and goes
• Sediment or “milky” water when first turned on
• You or others in your household get frequent stomach upsets or skin irritation

Mark McShane’s safety tips for British households:

1. Check your home’s plumbing age – Old pipes and tanks could increase contamination risk, especially in the loft.
2. Let taps run – Especially after holidays or overnight. Running water for 1–2 minutes helps flush out bacteria and sediment.
3. Use the cold tap from the kitchen – This is usually directly mains-fed and safer than bathroom taps, which may be tank-fed.
4. Install a basic carbon filter – These help reduce chlorine, lead, microplastics and some PFAS particles.
5. Stay updated with your water supplier – Sign up for local boil notices or service alerts.
6. If in doubt, boil it – Boiling water for 1 minute is one of the most effective ways to kill bacteria and parasites.

“Most UK tap water is still safe,” McShane adds, “but that doesn’t mean we should be blind to the risks – especially as regulations lag behind new contaminants.”