When reaching for a glass of H2O, it’s easy to think that all water is created equal – it all looks the same, after all. However, despite that fact that the basic chemical makeup of water doesn’t vary, the contaminants, chemicals, and minerals found in drinking water across the country can differ considerably.

These contaminants can have a big impact on the aroma and flavour of the water. And while some people may not notice these differences, others are able to detect significant changes in the taste and smell of the H2O. If you don’t like the flavour or aroma of your drinking water and aren’t sure why, this may well be the root of the problem. Keep reading to find out more.

Tap water in the UK

On the whole, tap water in the UK is of an exceptionally high standard. Some of the cleanest in the world, it’s delivered to homes across the country ready to drink. As @WaterUK says:

“All tap water intended for human consumption supplied by water companies is subject to stringent standards, which make sure you can drink it on a daily basis without any harm. The latest results show 99.96% compliance rates for tap water in England and Wales, 99.89% for Scotland, and 99.86% for Northern Ireland.”

Where does our drinking water come from?

Drinking water in the UK comes from a variety of sources. In the south east of England, it generally comes from groundwater. This means that before the water reaches your taps, it’s been filtered through layer after layer of rock. As a result, water in this part of the country is packed full of minerals. Although this can be good news for the nutritional value of the H2O, a lot of people don’t like ‘hard water’ as it can damage appliances and alter the flavour of tea, coffee and other drinks. Filters can be used to remove a lot of these contaminants and give the water a more neutral flavour.

In other parts of the UK, water comes from surface sources like reservoirs. This water generally contains much lower levels of minerals so has a less pronounced flavour and is a lot softer on appliances. However, if the pipes that the water travels through are old or degraded, contaminants may still be present when the H2O arrives in your home. Use a filter to purify the water and ensure it’s as clean and healthy as possible.

Learn more about the benefits of using a water filter, and about maintaining a high quality of water in your home, by taking a look around our site or getting in touch with a member of our team.