What are they doing to the water in the UK

[ByBrightSloth]

I used to be able to drink the tap water. It now tastes more like chlorine and can’t be drank after more than an hour or so of sitting out as it tastes rancid. I can actually smell it. I moved and it tasted ok but a few months later they must have started adding more chlorine and chemicals. How is this OK?

I'm in Yorkshire and the Tap water is gorgeous! Places like london etc I can't drink it, tastes totally different.

I'm in the W Midlands and the tap water tastes horrible - if you leave it out the flavour only worsens. It's been like that for years so don't think it's anything new.

We’ve had a gravity filter for a few years. When you open the top to add more water the smell of chlorine is so strong!

Uk water is one of the safest on the planet, and has been for longer than many other countries. You couldn't drink tap water in Italy when I was a kid for example.

Does it taste better or worse in some areas, yes, as it comes from different sources, and often it is a case of what you are used to. DD hates Exeter water, and much prefers our SW Surrey.

I hate tap water. I have a virgin filter machine. Expensive the first year but now it's paid off its great (as long as it doesn't break down I guess!)

See also the spirits "eau de vie" and "aquavit"!

I never drink tap water (south hampshire) as we have had frequent times over the past two years when it is brown or white or non existent and then smells strongly of chlorine when they flush the pipes. My cat doesn’t drink it either. She could smell when it started to change. It is ridiculous that I pay for drinking water but have to buy bottled water because mine is so awful.

I have never drunk water from the tap and never will.

I am now in a small SE seaside town where the overall water system still has some lead pipes so yet another reason not to do it!

You don't have to pay for bottled water, you choose to.

UK tap water is perfectly safe to drink almost all of the time - occasional issues don't negate that.

When there are issues, water companies usually offer to provide bottled water or reimburse the cost of it.

Well I don’t think having to take a risk on water safety given numerous locals have had stomach upsets and skin rashes from our water is a choice actually.
Our water companies are not working because they have prioritised profit for shareholders over investment in infrastructure. In my area we have undrinkable water, rivers and the sea full of sewage and constant floods from burst mains.

From Derbyshire dales and now Northamptonshire.

As soon as I moved to Northamptonshire, I noticed white bits in my water if it was left for a short time. Tasted different and when you pour it, you have to wait for it to settle. It's got lots of a different kind of white stuff in it straight from the tap. 30 seconds or so and it's settled. I watched a TikTok that said you have to wait for that to disappear before you drink.

I think Derbyshire dales get Buxton spring water through the taps 😂

I work in a language school! I've had these conversations with students for many years because they're always shocked the staff drink tap.

I'm afraid I no longer drink tap water in UK unless it's been boiled-

All of our dogs won't drink tap water. No matter if it's hot or they are thirsty. We tried different bowls, giving it fresh or letting it stand and they won't touch it.

They only drink bottled water.

All but one will drink out of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds and puddles!

What does that tell you about tap water if they prefer some muddy old puddle?! 😬

It happened around 3years ago as they were drinking tap water up until then!

This is an unusual occurrence though - the vast majority of the time and in the vast majority of places, UK tap water is fine to drink.

Frankly we should be glad to have water. In as little as 15 years there are going to be serious problems with water scarcity in the UK. People complaining now have no idea how good they have it.

Thames Water area. I’m happy our water is safe, but cannot drink it without squash or something in it, or it being made into tea. The taste of chlorine is too strong. We buy bagged ice cubes these days because for some reason ice made out of our tap water turns anything you put it into into what tastes like a glass of bleach.

Some areas are fluoridating their supply and it's is difficult to find our which ones. I remember the midwife telling us and we bought a specific bottled water for the babies.

Where we live now the water has changed, I have a lot of huge houseplants, always had green fingers and all of a sudden we started to get a lot of health issues with the plants, I now use rainwater and water from the dehumidifier fortified, issues have resolved.
Our water is soft, but leaves a brown residue on evaporation, tastes foul and sometimes the bathroom smells like a swimming pool.
Leaving water to stand no longer gets rid of the chlorine in most areas as they use a more stable version of chlorine now. We used to do this for the fish tanks, but now we have to use tap water conditioner.

Simply not true.

Can you elaborate on this? A very quick google brings up multiple sources on the future issues the UK is going to experience with water scarcity.

England often already is short of water and has to ship it

Interesting. Can you link any official sources for that claim? Unless you meant getting it piped from Wales or Scotland.

@INeedAnotherName Ireland

And we should eat chlorinated chicken from the states, because hey, we should be grateful we have food.
I hate the argument that others have less so you should lower your standards.

Edit as I've quoted the reply not the original quote, but it isn't allowing me to edit.

Are you scare mongering or is that true