Louise made the decision to stop drinking tap water about 12 years ago.
Ever since, she has invested a significant amount of money in various home filtration systems to ease her concerns about water quality.
“It has always been a worry for me,” the 34-year-old nurse from Greater Manchester shared with Sky News.
“In my profession, I encounter a lot of bacteria like E-coli, legionella, norovirus – all of which can originate from water. It’s a frightening thought.”
While she acknowledges that her concerns may be based on “speculation” – given the strict rules on hand hygiene and infection control in her NHS ward – water quality has been a personal concern for her for over a decade.
Louise Lofts, 32, from Stockport
Women, educated individuals, and city residents are most concerned
A study conducted last year revealed that 52.3% of individuals across 141 countries expressed worries about potential harm from their drinking water within the next two years.
The study, based on 2019 polling data from over 148,000 people, also indicated that concerns about water quality were more prevalent among women, urban dwellers, those with higher educational qualifications, and individuals facing financial challenges.
In the UK, over 20% reported feeling anxious, and the latest trust in water survey by regulator OFWAT showed a decrease in trust in water companies to 65% by the end of 2022, down from 76% at the beginning of the year.
Claire Hanson, 59, from Cheltenham
Claire, a 59-year-old resident of Cheltenham, decided to discontinue drinking tap water after her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and cancer over a decade ago.
“My father’s health deteriorated,” she shared. “Early on in his treatment, one of the medical consultants advised him to make small changes – like consuming organic food and filtered water.”
Her parents purchased a filter jug and an under-sink filtration system, which prompted her to do the same.
Claire also raised concerns about local water quality following the 2007 flash flooding in Gloucestershire, which left her and her neighbors without safe drinking water for three weeks.
After the River Severn flooded, the contaminated floodwater affected the local treatment plant, rendering the water undrinkable.
Currently, Claire utilizes refillable filter cartridges named Pure Pods, while Louise prefers Water2 – a below-tap filter co-owned by Bear Grylls.
Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire during 2007 flash flooding. Pic: PA
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“When the water got turned back on – the smell that came out of the tap was unbelievable,” she recalls.
“The amount of chemicals they were having to pump into the tap to make it drinkable.”
Last May, a damaged air valve in South West Water’s network allowed the parasite cryptosporidium to get into a reservoir near Brixham, Devon – which left many with a diarrhoea bug and 17,000 households without water for eight weeks.
A leaflet tells residents in Brixham, Devon not to use their tap water in May
Illness-inducing pathogens are ‘rare’
The UK’s Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and other regulatory agencies elsewhere apply very strict rules to make sure microbial contaminants like bacteria and viruses and chemical contaminants such as metals and pesticides are removed, says Professor Luisa Orsini, professor of evolutionary systems biology and environmental omics at the University of Birmingham.
Her colleague, Dr Mohamed Abdallah, associate professor of environmental sciences, adds: “The tolerance is nearly zero for any of those pathogens in drinking water.
“But our research shows that while the DWI is happy about the things they are monitoring – there are things that are not being monitored.”
Bottled water supplies ready to be distributed to residents near Brixham, Devon in May. Pic: PA
Forever chemicals (PFAs) are ‘silent killers’
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are a group of around 10,000 “forever chemicals”, known for their non-biodegradable nature over time.
They are utilized in the production of various domestic and industrial products, including carpets, floor polish, frying pans, cosmetics, and food packaging.
A research study by the team of experts at the University of Birmingham identified 10 target PFAs present in 99% of tap and bottled water samples obtained from cities in the UK and 14 other countries.
While pathogens like cryptosporidium and E.coli can be fatal for individuals with weakened immune systems, their effects are immediate and short-lived for most individuals, despite being unpleasant.
However, PFAs have been associated with a range of cancers, Parkinson’s disease, decreased fertility, resistance to antibiotics and vaccines. Infants are particularly vulnerable due to their underdeveloped nervous and immune systems.
“Forever chemicals act as silent killers,” Professor Orsini stated. “Even at very low doses, they have severe long-term impacts – and that’s the information we aim to convey from our research.”
According to the experts, PFAs pose a particular threat due to the insufficient wastewater treatment technology in the UK to eliminate them completely, coupled with inadequate regulation.
Most treatment plants possess a primary and secondary treatment process, which effectively removes pathogens and some chemicals, but fails to eliminate PFAs as they are highly persistent.
Therefore, a tertiary treatment is necessary to address them, even at minimal levels, as per Prof Orsini.
The scholars and their research team have developed a tertiary treatment method using daphnia, tiny water fleas, to absorb PFAs, toxic chemicals, and pesticides in wastewater, presenting a more eco-friendly alternative to current energy-intensive systems.
Water being tested at a treatment centre. File pic
No legal obligation to eliminate PFAs
Regarding regulations, there is no mandated requirement for water companies in England and Wales to eradicate PFAs. The World Health Organisation does not have a framework for them either, but suggests that countries strive for concentrations that are as low as reasonably practical.
Prior to Brexit, the UK intended to adopt a limit of 0.1 micrograms per litre – equivalent to one part per billion – in alignment with the European Union.
Currently, this is the guidance in England and Wales, but no legal mandate exists. Last year, Scotland passed legislation setting a standard of 0.1 micrograms per litre for 20 PFAs.
Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency enforced stricter rules – a maximum limit of 0.4 nanograms per litre – or four parts per trillion – due to potential human health risks.
Prof Orsini and Dr Abdallah, among 50 scientists, have urged the government to enforce more stringent statutory regulations on PFAs.
A cross-party bill has been proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson and is set for a second reading in the Commons.
However, Professor Ian Cousins, an environmental chemist at Stockholm University in Sweden, who also signed the letter, cautioned: “Due to the UK’s delayed response to PFAs pollution, many British individuals have been unknowingly exposed to a cocktail of PFAs.”
Sky News has reached out to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for additional comment.
At-home filters eliminate a significant amount
Feeling anxious?
“It’s not all negative,” Dr Abdallah reassures.
“There are simple measures that can be taken at home to address the issue.
“Carbon filters – whether purchased cartridges or those built into refrigerators dispensing water – are effective at removing PFAs.”
Both experts disclosed using such filters themselves.
“Carbon filtration removes a significant portion of various contaminants – including PFAs – which is encouraging for everyone worried, including myself,” Dr Abdallah added.
At-home filter systems come in jug or countertop forms, attach