Drinking Water Inspectorate Orders Action Over Cancer-Linked ‘Forever Chemicals’ in England and Wales
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has required water companies to address PFAS contamination found in untreated water sources that serve millions in England and Wales. PFAS, including banned carcinogens PFOS and PFOA, persist in the environment and are linked to cancer and other health issues. Companies must improve treatment and monitoring to reduce risks, with new regulatory limits on 48 PFAS compounds set for January 2025.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), the regulator for drinking water in England and Wales, has identified significant concerns about contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. Analysis found elevated PFAS levels in untreated water supplies at hundreds of sites affecting over 6 million people, including major water companies like Anglian Water and Wessex Water. Notably, banned carcinogens PFOS and PFOA were detected. The DWI has issued notices demanding improvements such as enhanced monitoring, treatment upgrades, and blending contaminated with clean water to meet safety expectations. Major contamination sources include airports, military sites, industrial facilities, and sewage sludge spread on farmland. Since 2007, UK PFAS limits have tightened substantially, with the latest guidance capping a total of 48 PFAS chemicals at 100 nanograms per litre starting January 2025, a stricter threshold than prior standards and some EU guidelines. Experts stress current UK limits may still be insufficient, urging adoption of technologies like nanofiltration and ion exchange and implementation of polluter-pays principles to fund remediation. The estimated cleanup cost across the UK and Europe is £1.6 trillion over 20 years. The government maintains that UK tap water meets safety standards, highlighting ongoing investments to improve water quality and reduce lead pipes. However, environmental campaigners call for stronger national regulations, including banning PFAS production and use at the source to effectively address this widespread public health and environmental challenge.
