About your drinking water
Quality
We continue to supply a very high level of water quality. Achieving a score of 99.93 per cent for the Drinking Water Inspectorate's measure ‘Mean Zonal Compliance’ in 2018. This means our drinking water complies with strict national guidelines for safety and purity. Performance in this area is assessed by testing samples from our customers' taps against 39 water quality standards.
Water quality has been a particular focus for us in recent years, introducing improvements to our processes and making sure our assets continue to be fit for purpose.
Find out more about the quality of your drinking water
Appearance
The number of contacts we have received about discoloured water has remained reasonably consistent over the last three years.
To try to reduce the number of contacts we receive, we have been cleaning some of our large water pipes and making improvements at our water treatment works. This will reduce the risk of discolouration in our drinking water even further
Here's how we look after the colour of your water
Taste and smell
The number of taste and smell contacts reported by customers has also remained reasonably constant over the last three years. The continued investment into our assets, use of improved technology and improvements in our operating model mean we are hoping to reduce the number of taste and smell contacts.
Find out what some of the most common causes are of taste and smell.
Hardness
The majority of our water in the North West is soft or very soft. For more information please take a look at our factsheet on water hardness (PDF 45 KB opens in a new window).
Lead
A third of the properties in the North West which were built before 1970 are believed to still have some lead plumbing.
If you do have lead pipes, there’s plenty you can do to minimise the risks to you and your family.
Fluoride
Find out about fluoridation in the North West
Your water supply
Find out more about your water supply and how we provide seven million customers across the North West, with a safe and constant supply of water - on tap, whenever you need it.