The Great Debate: Is UK Bathroom Tap Water Safe to Drink?

4th Jul 2024

White counter top basin with wall mounted matt black tap

Walking downstairs to the kitchen tap is usually the last thing you want to do when you wake up with a dry throat at night. Instead, heading down the hall to the bathroom sink for a quick sip is all too tempting.

There are many misconceptions and myths surrounding drinking from the bathroom tap. While some believe that bathroom tap water is the same as anywhere else in your home, others see it as completely unsuitable for anything other than bathing and brushing your teeth.

So, which is the truth? In this guide, we'll walk you through the facts behind the safety of tap water – helping you put your mind at ease the next time you're caught needing a drink while upstairs.

We've also gathered expert advice from our own Brian Toward, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) here at Wholesale Domestic.

What is the quality of tap water in the UK?
Things to consider before drinking bathroom tap water at home
Frequently asked questions

What is the quality of tap water in the UK?

The quality of tap water in the UK is exceptionally high, thanks to one of the most sophisticated water supply systems in the world. However, it's important to remember that the country primarily relies on two types of water supply systems: mains water and private water – and that these two supplies are not necessarily equal in terms of water quality.

Mains water is the most common type, flowing through the majority of taps. Thankfully, this water supply is provided by public water companies and is under strict regulation. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is a regulatory body responsible for monitoring the quality of this water supply and ensuring it meets standards for chemical composition, microbiological content, and clarity.

A 2022 Drinking Water Report highlighted that public drinking water in England had an overall compliance rate of 99.97%, demonstrating the high quality of tap water available to most households.

In contrast, private water supplies – which are sourced from wells, natural springs, or boreholes – serve just 1% of households in England and Wales. These supplies are not subject to the same extensive monitoring or large-scale purification processes as mains water, which can pose health risks if the water isn’t treated correctly.

“Unfortunately, contamination isn't guaranteed to have any impact on the taste, smell, or colour of your water. Because of this, it can be hard to know if the water from your private supply is safe to drink,” Brian warns. “To be on the safe side, households with a private supply should regularly check their water quality using a testing kit or hire a professional to check the water for contaminants.”

If you're unsure whether your household has a private or public water supply, Water UK have a handy tool to find out.

Things to consider before drinking bathroom tap water at home

Matt black bathroom tap with green tiles

You may think that since there are regulations to maintain water quality, the water in your bathroom tap is safe to drink. However, this is not automatically the case. There are two factors that you'll need to consider when deciding whether or not you can drink bathroom tap water.

1. Old pipes

The condition and age of your water pipes play a significant role in determining the safety of your tap water, particularly in older homes.

Before the 1970s, it was common practice to install water pipes made from lead, a material we later discovered poses serious health risks. "If your home was built before the 1970s, there's a possibility that lead pipes were used during construction, and they may well still be in place today," says Brian. "Over time, these pipes can deteriorate – causing lead to leach into your water – especially if the water has been sitting in the pipes for a long time."

If you're unsure if your pipes have been replaced, it's best to test your water through a trusted third party to be safe.

Lead in your water isn't something to take lightly. "Lead exposure, even in small amounts, can be harmful," Brian warns. "Lead poisoning is particularly dangerous for children and infants, with the potential to cause brain damage, developmental issues, and other serious health problems."

But that's not to say that lead doesn't still pose health risks for adults. Common symptoms of lead poisoning include joint pain, high blood pressure, nausea and even infertility and kidney disease in extreme cases.

If you've noticed a metallic or slightly off-taste in your water, you may be wondering if this indicates lead contamination. Unfortunately, lead is completely colourless, odourless, and tasteless. So, while strange-tasting water may suggest other metals have contaminated the supply, it's impossible to determine whether lead is present without a test.

Additionally, soft water areas – where the water has a lower mineral content – are more susceptible to lead contamination. Brian explains: "Soft water is more likely to corrode your pipes, leading to a higher chance of lead leaching into the water. Unlike hard water, which forms a protective layer of limescale that acts as a barrier, soft water leaves the pipes more exposed – allowing direct contact between the water and the pipe material. This increases the risk of contamination." This is something to be mindful of, particularly if you live in an area known for soft water.

Now, you might be wondering why kitchen tap water is often considered safer than bathroom tap water, even in homes with old pipes.

Well, we've got the answers…

2. Water storage tanks

One key difference between your kitchen and bathroom taps is how the water is stored. Your kitchen tap is directly connected to the water mains, where treated, drinkable water is pumped through large underground pipes. Your local water utility supplier maintains these pipes, ensuring the water reaching your kitchen is fresh, constantly running, and hasn't been sitting around for too long.

Bathroom taps, however, often tell a different story. In many homes, the water for your bathroom is stored in a small tank, typically located in the loft or sometimes the cellar. While some bathrooms are directly connected to the mains supply, this setup is less common. So, if you're unsure and can't easily check your loft or cellar – it's a good idea to assume that you likely have a storage tank.

Even though the water in the tank originates from the mains supply, it usually sits in storage for a while before making its way to your bathroom taps or shower head.

Exactly how long the water lingers in the tank depends largely on your household's bathroom habits. "The more often you use water in the bathroom, the faster it cycles through the tank," Brian explains. "But in homes where people don't bathe or shower daily, the water can sit around longer, which isn't ideal."

“Stagnant water can accumulate limescale, bacteria, and even debris from the tank itself. That's why the water stored in the tank is generally directed to your bathroom, where it's less likely to be used for drinking,” Brian adds. "The less frequently you refresh the water in the tank, the more likely it is to pick up some contaminants along the way. And if your home still has old pipes, stagnant water is more likely to absorb lead and other metals – making it even more risky.”

So, while your bathroom tap water might be fine for brushing your teeth or washing your face, it's a different story when it comes to drinking – better to head to the kitchen for that glass of water!

Frequently asked questions

Is hotel bathroom tap water safe to drink in the UK?

When you stay in a hotel room, you are often limited to either the bathroom tap or buying bottled water. Unfortunately, despite being the single water source, the bathroom tap water in hotels is no safer than your at-home plumbing systems.

Hotels often use water tanks similar to those in your house, only much bigger. While the water tends to sit in the tank for a shorter time due to the high number of guests using the shower or tap in their room, it could still be contaminated.

"If you're staying at a hotel, it's a good idea to avoid drinking from the bathroom tap if you can," says Brian. "It might be tempting, especially if there's no other tap in the room, but it's better to grab a few bottles of water during your stay – especially if the hotel is older and might still have those old lead pipes."

"A common belief is that boiling tap water makes it safe to drink, which is somewhat true," says Brian. "However, it's important to note that doing so does not entirely eliminate the risk of chemical contamination or debris." While boiling tap water for 15 minutes will remove trace amounts of chlorine, and studies have shown that it can also remove up to 90% of microplastics in the water, this will not help if your water has been contaminated by lead.

What is the difference between UK kitchen and bathroom tap water?

"The main difference between kitchen and bathroom tap water is what happens before the water comes out of the tap," Brian explains. "Water from your kitchen tap comes straight from the mains, which means there's less chance for debris or bacteria to build up. That's why it's safe to drink."

"On the other hand, bathroom tap water often sits in a storage tank before it reaches you. That gives it time to collect bacteria, debris, limescale, and even potentially lead," Brian points out.

Why does my bathroom tap water taste different?

If you have poured yourself a glass of water from the bathroom tap, you might notice a slightly different smell or taste to the water from your kitchen.

"The main reason that bathroom tap water can have a distinctive taste is that the water often sits in a tank for a while," says Brian. "So, what you're tasting is actually the minerals that have accumulated in the water during this time. While this doesn't necessarily mean the water is unsafe to drink, many people don't like the taste."

What is the water treatment process in the UK?

The water treatment process in the UK is made up of four parts.

Storage – Water is often stored in a reservoir for multiple weeks. This helps to naturally filter the water, as heavier debris and minerals settle at the bottom.

Screening – During this stage, the water is passed through a filtration screen to collect any branches and leaves that may have gathered in the reservoir.

Removing particles – This step is made up of three parts. Flocculation is the first stage, in which a solution is added to the water to make the particles larger and easier to filter. Next, the water is passed through two filters – rapid gravity filters and slow sand filters – which remove any particles from the water.

Final treatment – A very small quantity of chlorine is added to the water. This is less than 1 mg per litre, killing any microbes still present in the water and keeping it safe.

"During each stage of the treatment process, the water is thoroughly tested to ensure that the filtration is working as intended," says Brian. "By the time the water reaches your taps, you are left with a clean, refreshing taste, free from harmful chemicals or bacteria."

Is bathroom tap water safe for brushing teeth?

"If you're worried about brushing your teeth with bathroom tap water, don't be," says Brian. "The good news is that it's not going to harm you. You usually don't swallow much, if any, of the water when brushing, so it's not enough to cause any health issues."

Of course, you shouldn't swallow the water anyway due to the fluoride content in toothpaste, which can lead to issues like stomach cramps.

Should I install a water filter to make my bathroom water safe for drinking?

If you really don't want to make the walk downstairs to the kitchen, installing a water filter on your bathroom taps can be a great way to improve the quality of your water and make it safe to drink.

"Water filters help to remove any harmful bacteria, debris, trace amounts of lead and chemicals from your bathroom tap water while being fairly simple to install," says Brian. "This not only makes the water safe to drink but also helps improve the taste."

So, is bathroom tap water safe?

"Drinking water from your bathroom supply probably won't do you any serious harm, but I wouldn't really recommend it unless you've got a water filter built into your tap," says Brian. "Over time, drinking bathroom tap water could expose you to chemicals and debris, and if you live in an older home, there's always the risk of lead contamination. Plus, it often just doesn't taste as fresh as what you get from the kitchen tap."

But just because you shouldn't drink from them, that doesn't mean your bathroom tap isn't still a crucial part of your bathroom! At Wholesale Domestic, we offer a wide variety of bathroom taps, including basin taps, mixer designs, waterfall styles, high-rise options, and more.

We've also got everything you need to revamp your bathroom, from sinks,showers, baths and toilets to accessories like mirrors, toothbrush holders and extractor fans. Shop our full range of products online today!