UK Water Firms Ordered to Act Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ Threat

Published: 03 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has issued urgent orders to several major water companies across England and Wales after high levels of toxic “forever chemicals” — substances linked to cancer, infertility, and hormone disruption — were discovered in untreated water sources. Officials warned that the contamination could pose “a potential danger to human health” if left unaddressed, marking one of the most significant public health interventions in recent years.

The chemicals in question, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a vast group of man-made compounds celebrated for their durability, grease resistance, and waterproof properties. These same characteristics, however, make them virtually indestructible in the environment. PFAS accumulate over time in soil, water, and even human bodies, earning the nickname “forever chemicals.” Two of the most notorious forms — PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) — have already been banned after the World Health Organization classified them as carcinogenic.

A detailed analysis by Watershed Investigations and the BBC revealed that PFAS contamination has been flagged at hundreds of untreated water sources — including reservoirs, boreholes, and treatment plants — serving over six million people. Experts believe the real number of those potentially exposed could be far higher, as data from several affected areas remains incomplete.

Among the companies ordered to act are Anglian Water, which serves around 4.2 million customers; Wessex Water, serving 1.2 million; Severn Trent Water; South Staffordshire Water; South West Water; Affinity Water; and United Utilities. Notices from the DWI cited concerns ranging from “inadequate treatment processes” to “increasing PFAS levels,” and set strict deadlines for remedial action. Companies are being instructed to enhance filtration, increase monitoring, and blend contaminated supplies with cleaner sources to bring PFAS concentrations below safety limits.

Investigations have traced PFAS pollution back to multiple industrial and commercial sources — including airports, military bases, chemical plants, sewage treatment facilities, firefighting training grounds, and even agricultural land. The Environment Agency estimates that there may be as many as 10,000 potential PFAS “hotspots” across the UK. These sites can leach PFAS compounds into groundwater or nearby rivers, eventually contaminating public water supplies.

Affinity Water, which operates across several counties in southern England including Hertfordshire, Essex, and parts of London, has been served multiple notices regarding PFOS and PFOA contamination. The company’s Holywell, Baldock, Wheathampstead, and Ardleigh sites were specifically flagged for PFOS, while its Blackford plant in Hillingdon was found to contain traces of PFOA. Affinity Water has until 2029 to either dilute the affected supplies or install advanced filtration systems capable of removing PFAS molecules.

Similarly, South Staffordshire Water has detected contamination near Duxford airfield, believed to have originated from firefighting foams used during past training exercises. Severn Trent Water’s Cropston plant has reported increasing PFAS levels, while all of South West Water’s affected supplies are located in the Isles of Scilly. United Utilities, which serves northwest England, has received notices for its works in Southport and Wickenhall.

Over the past two decades, the UK has gradually tightened its PFAS regulations. The limit for PFOA in drinking water dropped from 10,000 nanograms per litre in 2007 to 5,000 ng/l in 2009, and further down to 100 ng/l by 2021. The DWI now caps the total of 48 PFAS types at a combined 100 ng/l. However, many scientists argue these limits still fall short of what’s needed to protect public health.

Professor Hans Peter Arp, a leading environmental chemist, said the UK’s PFAS contamination problem is “large but by no means unique,” comparing it to similar crises in Europe and North America. “The UK’s early drinking water limits were among the most lenient in the developed world,” he noted. “In Denmark, the current limit for a group of four PFAS compounds is just 2 ng/l — more than 5,000 times lower than the UK’s initial standard.” Arp warned that “a portion of the population has likely been affected” and called for significant investment in modern purification technologies such as nanofiltration and ion exchange systems.

The financial implications of tackling PFAS contamination are staggering. Estimates suggest that cleanup efforts across the UK and Europe could exceed £1.6 trillion over the next two decades — roughly £84 billion a year. Environmental groups are urging the government to apply the “polluter pays” principle, making chemical manufacturers responsible for remediation costs.

Water UK, which represents the industry, described PFAS as a “huge global challenge” and called for a national action plan funded by producers of the chemicals. “Every water company meets strict government standards and testing regimes,” a spokesperson said. “UK tap water remains safe to drink, but we urgently need upstream solutions to stop PFAS from entering the environment in the first place.”

The government maintains that British drinking water remains among the safest in the world. A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson stated, “There is no evidence that consumer tap water exceeds safe PFAS levels set by the DWI. Nonetheless, we continue to invest in improving water quality, including £2 billion in private-sector funding to tackle PFAS and replace remaining lead pipes.”

However, campaigners and independent scientists argue that reassurance is not enough. Dr. Shubhi Sharma of Chem Trust said, “Drinking water is a major source of PFAS exposure, and the UK’s current standards are not protective enough. It’s crucial that the government follows the EU’s lead and introduces stricter thresholds. We must turn off the PFAS pollution tap at its source — banning production and use of these chemicals — rather than relying on costly clean-up measures.”

As Britain faces growing pressure to align with international standards, the DWI’s latest enforcement signals a new urgency to address a decades-old problem. Whether through stronger regulation, corporate accountability, or technological innovation, the UK’s battle against forever chemicals has entered a decisive phase — one that could shape the country’s public health and environmental legacy for generations.