Have you ever stopped to think about the fascinating journey your everyday tap water takes?
It all starts with a simple act of nature - rainfall! This seemingly ordinary occurrence sets in motion a remarkable process that transforms rainwater into clean, safe drinking water that flows freely from your taps.
But where exactly does this water originate?
In the UK, the answer is not always a straightforward one.
This article will go through the sources and variations of tap water in the UK while highlighting the benefits of choosing tap water as a sustainable option.
Let's discover more about UK tap water!
Main Sources of Tap Water
While we may take it for granted, having access to clean, safe drinking water is a true privilege.
The water that flows from our taps has travelled a remarkable path before reaching our homes.
In most cases, the story begins with rain. Rainfall collects in various ways, forming the foundation for the UK's tap water supply.
There are two main categories for the initial collection of rainwater:
Surface Water
This refers to water that has settled on land and travelled across its surface to waterways, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Surface water is a major source for much of the UK's tap water, and is soft water because it has not been in contact with rocks for long enough for the minerals to dissolve.
2. Groundwater
Rainwater seeps through layers of rock and soil, eventually reaching underground lakes called aquifers. These natural reservoirs store vast quantities of freshwater.
As this groundwater has naturally filtered through layers of sand and rock, it is purified but it also picks up minerals along the way resulting in mineral-rich hard water.
Aquifers are an important source of tap water, especially in southern and eastern England.
3. Sea Water
In future, there may be other, less common sources used for drinking water.
For instance, in water-stressed coastal areas, desalination plants could be considered to be employed to treat seawater and convert it into a suitable drinking water source.
However, desalination is a complex and energy-intensive process, making it very expensive to operate and not a favoured option currently.
UK Tap Water Sources Based on Region
While rain serves as the starting point for UK tap water, the specific source will depend on your location.
Due to the complex network of raw water reservoirs, water treatment works, and their distribution systems, the exact origin of your tap water at home can vary at different times and at varying water demands in an area.
Most water suppliers in the UK provide resources to help you discover the primary source of your tap water. You can usually find this information on their website.
To give you a general idea, let's explore the dominant sources of tap water in different regions of the UK:
Northern England and Scotland
These regions tend to rely heavily on surface water sources like rivers, lochs and lakes.
The abundance of natural waterways and frequent rainfall in these areas make them well-suited for utilising surface water to produce tap water.
South and East England
Southern and eastern England see a greater use of groundwater from aquifers.
The underlying geology in these regions often features porous rock formations that serve as natural reservoirs for the percolated rainwater. The amount of rainfall in Southern and eastern England is less than in other parts of the UK making the areas more water-stressed and water conservation a focus.
Two water companies, Portsmouth Water and Southern Water are investing in an environmentally-led project to provide an alternative, sustainable source of raw water in Hampshire. The raw water reservoir will be built to provide an additional source of drinking water and reduce dependency on the world-renowned chalk streams – the River Test and the River Itchen from over-abstraction. It aims to provide sufficient drinking water for the growth in the area's future population.
Wales
Around 95% of Wales’ water resources originate as surface water either from reservoir storage or directly from the river.
Similar to Scotland, Wales has high rainfall and captures much of this rainfall in its raw water reservoirs.
Northern Ireland
Drinking water is predominantly taken from Lough Neagh, with local rivers and a range of upland sources, supplementing the supply. All sources are rich in natural organic matter.
Population density and rainfall
Here's a table summarising population density and rainfall across the UK:
Higher population density are the areas with the least amount of rainfall. Southern and eastern England has a water deficit, an area of serious water stress.
Wales, Scotland and the north of England have sufficient water due to high rainfall and low population density.
The main storage reservoirs indicated on the Rainfall map are located in areas of heavy rainfall.
Remember that these are general trends, and there can be variations within each region.
For a more precise understanding of your tap water source, consult your local water supplier's website.
Tap Water Process to Safe Drinking Water
Regardless of its origin, all UK drinking water undergoes a rigorous treatment process before reaching your tap.
This multi-stage process ensures that drinking water meets the strict drinking water quality regulations and standards set by the UK government and governed by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
Surface water requires an intense multi-stage treatment process to remove the organic material and other contaminants. The basic processes involve filtration, coagulation, and disinfection, along with enhanced treatment for certain source waters such as Granular Activated Carbon and Ultra Violet depending on what contaminants have been found previously.
Groundwater has already been filtered through porous rock removing organic matter and other potential contaminants. Raw water quality is therefore superior to that of surface water and requires simpler treatment, often disinfection only.
These treatment processes are highly effective, and UK tap water consistently meets the high standards for safe drinking water. According to the DWI, UK drinking water is in the top 6 in the world for water quality!
You can find detailed information about water quality testing and regulations on the website of the DWI, the independent regulator for drinking water quality in England and Wales: https://www.dwi.gov.uk/.
Now, let’s explore why UK tap water is a smart and sustainable option, for you and the environment.
Why Choose UK Tap Water?
Choosing UK tap water offers a multitude of benefits:
Safety and Regulation: As discussed earlier, UK tap water undergoes rigorous treatment and testing to ensure it meets strict drinking water quality standards. Regular monitoring from source to tap provides an extra layer of confidence. All results from every water company in England and Wales can be seen on the DWI website. Regulators in Scotland and Northern Ireland also publicise Water Company’s water quality results on their website as well.
Sustainability: By choosing tap water, you're making a conscious effort to reduce your environmental impact. A reusable water bottle is a fantastic way to enjoy tap water on the go and it can be refilled at many locations including cafes, airports and leisure facilities.
Cost-Effectiveness: Tap water is a remarkably affordable source of safe clean drinking water. The cost per litre of tap water is minuscule.
Each household in England and Wales pays on average 50p per day towards drinking water and uses an average of 130 litres per person per day. A quick calculation based on 2.3 people per household and one litre of water equates to less than 1p (actually one-fifth of a penny) making it a budget-friendly choice.
Convenience: Drinking water is readily available at the turn of a tap, eliminating the need for shopping trips or lugging heavy bottles of water. It's a constantly replenished source of refreshment right at your fingertips.
Taste: Modern treatment processes ensure that UK drinking water has a clean, refreshing taste. If you find the taste not to your satisfaction, cooling it in a jug in a fridge overnight allows any residual chlorine to depart, providing you with great-tasting cool drinking water in the morning. Adding a slice of lemon, cucumber, or other fruits to your water can enhance the flavour naturally.
Conclusion
We've embarked on a fascinating exploration of UK tap water, uncovering its diverse sources, the intense treatment processes, and the compelling reasons to choose it over other options.
The next time you turn on the tap and quench your thirst with a refreshing glass of water, remember the remarkable journey it has taken. From a simple raindrop to a safe and sustainable source of hydration, UK tap water is a valuable resource to cherish.
Here are some additional resources you might find helpful:
Water UK - Water Facts and Figures: https://www.ons.gov.uk/redir/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpbmRleCI6NCwicGFnZVNpemUiOjEwLCJwYWdlIjoxLCJ1cmkiOiIvYWJvdXR1cy90cmFuc3BhcmVuY3lhbmRnb3Zlcm5hbmNlL2ZyZWVkb21vZmluZm9ybWF0aW9uZm9pL3VrYW5udWFsd2F0ZXJjb25zdW1wdGlvbmZvcjIwMjFhbmQyMDIyIiwibGlzdFR5cGUiOiJwdWJsaXNoZWRyZXF1ZXN0cyJ9.2V7wrDQQftusZ14RSGQWwhEuycZm94SeCnmGWvMZdUk
The British Geological Survey - Groundwater: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geology-projects/groundwater-research/groundwater-data/
Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) - Water Quality FAQs: https://www.dwi.gov.uk/
Environment Agency
So, embrace the power of UK tap water!
It's a simple choice that contributes to a healthier you and a healthier planet. We also cover this in our course Introduction to the UK Water Industry. Join our training course to understand more about the UK Water Industry.