Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in London?
Yes, tap water is drinkable.
Tap Safe includes data from many publicly available sources, including the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Center for Disease Control), and user submitted databases, but unfortunately there's not enough data about London.
To see user submitted ratings of the water quality for United Kingdom, see the "User Submitted Ratings" box on this page.
Is tap water safe to drink in London, England? Tap water in London is perfectly safe, though it is hard (i.e.high in calcium) you may not like the taste of the tap water. If you make a hot drink, you will find it leaves a scum on the surface, which is a bit off-putting to look at, but there is nothing wrong with it. UK’s tap water is one of the top-rated in the world.
London Water is Hard
Water is hard by the level of naturally occurring calcium and magnesium compounds in your water; high content classifies water as hard.
Hard water is found in regions that have a chalk and limestone geology; water picks up chalk carbonates as it passes through. It is not that London itself is built on chalk and limestone, but the area to the west where it comes from.
There are no health complications in drinking hard water. Nevertheless, hard water can lead to scale forming and may also affect the form of hot drinks, increase soap consumption, and decrease detergent efficiency. That is why your flat white might look a bit weird then.
Source of Water in London, England
70% of London’s water is provided by reservoirs, which collect their water from the River Thames, from the west of the city. The large tanks you see around the M4/M25 store the river water ready for treatment.
Before putting it to London Ring Main, the water goes under treatment. A considerable pipe that’s necessarily the M25 of water pipes, surrounding London.
They are taking the water up in this pipe at multiple points and put into storage reservoirs, then run out in pipes, into people’s homes.
Moreover, the other 30% of water comes from boreholes, which bring up groundwater. Composing mainly of rain that has seeped down into the soil — the origin of the water that supplies springs, wells, and boreholes. Also essential flows through the rivers.
Other sources:
FAQs about London Water
In the UK water regulations state that tap water pH should be between 6.5 and 9.5. The pH of water coming into treatment plants varies from region to region according to geology and a few other factors. Water that is more acidic is likely to contain metal ions including copper, lead, zinc, iron and manganese.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.20 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in London, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Current Weather in London
LONDON WEATHERSome of the Convenience Stores in London
- Londis
- The Convenience Store
- Best One London
- Break Point Ltd T/A The convenience Store
- The Corner Shop
- Portlands 24/7
- Ken’s Convenience Store
- Nisa Local
- Yours Food Centre
- N K Convenience Store
Estimated Price of Bottled Water
| Volume | USD | EUR | GBP |
| 1.5liter | $ 0.74 | € 0.66 | £ 0.60 |