PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in UK Drinking Water What’s actually being done – and is it enough?


PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in UK Drinking Water

What’s actually being done – and is it enough?

 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally. They’ve been used for decades in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging and industrial processes.

The problem? They persist in soil and water, build up in living organisms, and some are linked to cancer, immune suppression and developmental problems.

So what is the UK actually doing about PFAS in drinking water?

1️⃣ Regulation – Where Does the UK Stand?

Unlike the 🇺🇸 United States, which recently introduced strict federal limits on certain PFAS, the UK does not yet have a specific legally binding maximum limit for individual PFAS in drinking water.

Instead:

  • The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) sets guidance values.

  • Water companies must monitor PFAS under risk-based assessments.

  • A provisional “tiered” guidance system applies when PFAS are detected.

  • The UK follows legacy EU-derived standards but has not fully adopted the newer tighter EU PFAS limits introduced in 2020.

The government has stated it is reviewing PFAS policy as part of a broader chemicals strategy, but campaigners argue progress is slow.

2️⃣ Monitoring & Testing

Water companies across England and Wales are:

  • Increasing sampling at water sources.

  • Testing near known risk sites (airbases, industrial land, firefighting training grounds).

  • Reporting exceedances to the DWI.

The Environment Agency has also been mapping PFAS contamination in rivers and groundwater.

But critics say monitoring still varies by region and transparency could improve.

3️⃣ Treatment Technology – Can PFAS Be Removed?

Yes. The technology exists.

Common methods include:

  • Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) – widely used and relatively cost-effective.

  • Ion Exchange Resins – highly effective for certain PFAS.

  • Reverse Osmosis – very effective but energy intensive.

  • Emerging destruction technologies (e.g. plasma, advanced oxidation) – promising but not yet widely deployed.

Several UK water companies are trialling or installing enhanced filtration where PFAS risks are identified.

The question isn’t whether it can be done — it’s who pays and how quickly it is rolled out nationwide.

4️⃣ Government Policy – The Bigger Picture

The UK government has:

  • Restricted some long-chain PFAS (like PFOS).

  • Consulted on adding more PFAS to regulatory controls.

  • Included PFAS in its developing Chemicals Strategy.

  • Supported Environment Agency investigations into contaminated sites.

However, environmental groups argue:

  • The UK lacks a comprehensive ban approach.

  • Limits are weaker than the new US standards.

  • There’s no clear nationwide PFAS drinking water cap yet.

5️⃣ So… Should We Be Worried?

For most UK households, drinking water still meets current safety standards.

But:

  • PFAS contamination is real in parts of the UK.

  • These chemicals accumulate over time.

  • Prevention is cheaper than remediation.

As someone who runs a solar-powered home and electric boat on the Thames, I’m always reminded how interconnected our systems are. What runs off fields, airbases or industrial sites eventually reaches rivers — and rivers feed treatment plants.

Clean energy is vital.
But clean water? That’s non-negotiable.

What Could Be Done Next?

✔ Set legally binding maximum PFAS limits
✔ Fund nationwide removal upgrades
✔ Apply the “polluter pays” principle
✔ Increase transparency of water testing data
✔ Phase out non-essential PFAS uses

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