My Supply

Water quality

My water quality

In the United Kingdom we have some of the highest standards of water quality and safety in the world.

We clean, disinfect and test your drinking water thoroughly, to make sure it’s safe to use, before it leaves our treatment sites and ends up at your taps.

However, sometimes your water can look, taste or smell different to usual. Often this is harmless, with a simple explanation for the change and an easy way to fix it.

Here we describe some common water quality problems, and how they can be solved.

 

 

What to do if your water looks unusual

If your water appears to be a different colour, looks like it might have bits in it, or seems cloudy, here’s what might be causing the change and how to fix it.
Looks unusual

What to do if your water tastes or smells unusual

Sometimes your water might smell or taste different to normal. Here’s what might be causing the change and how to fix it.
Tastes and smells

How we look after your water quality

We know how important it is to have fresh, clean water on tap, straight to your home. That's why we always go the extra mile to make sure your water is wonderful.
Looking after your water

Understanding your water quality at home

Water hardness

Learn about the hardness of your water, where it comes from and its effects.
Your water hardness  

Understanding fluoride

How and why fluoride is added to your water and which areas are affected.
Why fluoride may be added

Lead in your water

How you can find out if you have lead pipes and what to do if you do.
Lead in your water

Fish and pet owners

Some useful advice about your water for fish keepers and pet owners.
Advice for pet owners

 

We take water quality extremely seriously, and as part of our routine sampling we monitor levels of PFAS at our sources across our region.

Despite there being no UK statutory limit for PFAS in drinking water, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) (the water quality regulator) has published set limits and guidance to water companies, with additional monitoring directions given to companies late last year. 

At Severn Trent, we follow the guidance set from the DWI and the monitoring of our water across our whole region has not found any levels of PFAS above the set limits published by the DWI. This means that all of our sites are currently categorised as being within ‘Tier 1’ of the DWI’s guidance, the lowest possible tier.

Please find a link to the DWI’s website which explains the PFAS tiers. PFAS-accessibility-leaflet.pdf (dwi.gov.uk).