Tap water quality in Plymouth
Plymouth has soft water (~50 mg/L CaCO₃), supplied and treated to UK drinking water standards.
Supplied by Your Area · Based on DWI laboratory analysis(Regional or modelled averages where zone-specific lab rows are not yet linked.)
Nitrates
30.81mg/L
Chlorine
0.50mg/L
Lead
0.63µg/L
Fluoride
0.09mg/L
Water hardness
EstimatedEstimated: Soft (~50 mg/L CaCO₃)
Based on typical regional geology in Devon. Lab-tested data for this specific supply zone is not yet available.
Parents: nitrate levels are elevated
Consider a filter rated for nitrates when preparing infant formula, and follow NHS guidance on boiling water.
How readings compare to limits
Nitrates
30.81 mg/L
PCV / limit: 50 mg/L
Chlorine
0.50 mg/L
No UK limit · WHO guideline 5 mg/L
Fluoride
0.09 mg/L
PCV / limit: 1.5 mg/L
Lead
0.63 µg/L
PCV / limit: 10 µg/L
What these readings mean
UK drinking water is regulated under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016, which set a prescribed concentration value (PCV) for each substance. Your Area must sample against these and report the results to the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Nitrates in Plymouth
30.81 mg/L·UK limit 50 mg/L
Nitrates come mainly from agricultural fertiliser and sewage reaching groundwater. Healthy adults process them without difficulty; the limit exists principally to protect bottle-fed infants under six months.
Lead in Plymouth
0.63 µg/L·UK limit 10 µg/L
Water leaves the treatment works lead-free. Any lead is picked up from the pipework between the main and your tap, so the reading depends heavily on your own property — pre-1970 homes are the ones worth checking.
Fluoride in Plymouth
0.09 mg/L·UK limit 1.5 mg/L
Occurs naturally in some groundwater and is deliberately added in a minority of UK supply areas. Around 10% of England receives a fluoridated supply.
Chlorine in Plymouth
0.50 mg/L·UK limit no statutory limit
Added as a disinfectant and required to remain present through the network to keep water safe in transit. Typically 0.2–0.5 mg/L at the tap. A noticeable taste is usually harmless and fades if water stands in a covered jug.
Common questions about Plymouth tap water
Is Plymouth tap water safe to drink?
Plymouth tap water is supplied by Your Area and is treated to UK drinking water standards. Our latest DWI figures show nitrates at 30.81 mg/L and lead at 0.63 µg/L, with nitrates elevated enough to be worth noting if you are preparing infant formula. Readings vary by supply zone, so check your exact postcode.
Is Plymouth hard or soft water?
Plymouth has soft water. It measures soft (~50 mg/L CaCO₃), which is classed as soft on the UK scale. This is estimated from local geology where lab CaCO₃ data for the supply zone is not yet published.
What is the water hardness in Plymouth?
Water hardness in Plymouth is soft (~50 mg/L CaCO₃) — soft. At this level limescale is not usually a problem.
Who supplies the tap water in Plymouth?
Tap water in Plymouth is supplied by Your Area. They are responsible for treatment, distribution and the laboratory testing reported to the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Sewage spills in Plymouth
Official Environment Agency storm overflow data near the town centre.
Check your postcode
Look up any UK address for lab results and nearby overflows.