Is bathroom tap water safe to drink in the UK?

While the UK has some of the highest quality tap water in the world, it is not recommended to drink from the bathroom tap as it is processed differently to kitchen tap water and there are increased risks involved.

Is bathroom tap water the same as kitchen tap water?

Not exactly, water from the kitchen tap is sourced directly from the mains, which is constantly being monitored and cycled through the water system. However, water from the bathroom tap is often stored in a water tank in the loft of your house after coming from the mains.

If you have an unvented or combi-boiler, you don't need a separate water tank. Many new-build homes no longer use water tanks, but if you’re unsure pop your head into the loft to check or contact a plumber.

If you do have a tank, depending on how much water is used in the bathroom, there is a chance that the water can become stagnant over time, leading to contamination and low water quality.

This could lead to limescale build-up, debris entering the water from the tank, or even vermin getting into the tank and polluting the supply — which is obviously not hygienic! Kitchen taps are also more likely to have a carbon filter which removes chlorine, biocides, insecticides and pesticides from the water.

Hotels operate in the same way, so it is not recommended to drink from the hotel bathroom tap either.

Risks of lead

Older homes are more likely to have dangerous tap water. Until the 1970s water pipes were made of lead. When it was found out that lead can pollute the water supply and cause lead poisoning, which attacks the kidneys and nervous system, this went out of use. From then on, pipes have been made from copper or plastic, but if you live in an older building that hasn’t had the pipes replaced, then there is still a chance your water contains lead.

This risk is elevated if you are drinking from the bathroom tap, as water that’s sitting in the pipes is more likely to absorb lead than if it is coming directly from the mains. Lead pipes are more dangerous in regions with soft water, as hard water is more likely to contain limescale, and limescale can block lead contamination.

If you are concerned, you can have your water supply checked, obtain a heavy metals water filter, or replace the pipes with the recommended materials. If you’re drinking bathroom tap water occasionally, don’t worry, it isn’t a major risk. However, in general, if you have a water tank it is a good idea to stick to drinking to the kitchen tap to avoid ingesting harmful bacteria or lead.