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5 Tips on How to Protect Yourself From...

In the UK and across most of the world, we can depend on our water companies and regulatory bodies to ensure that our tap water is safe to drink. The UK is consistently ranked highly for the best quality drinking water in the world. Through stringent tests and regulations, the water that appears in our tap has gone through various treatment processes to ensure that it doesn't cause any ill effects on our health. However, rare cases of contamination can occasionally happen. Examples of this are outbreaks such as the Cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixton in 2024, and between 2020 and October 2025, 379 drinking water notices were issued across the UK, according to figures obtained from the Drinking Water Inspectorate through a Freedom of Information request (Elton, 2026).  Alongside these incidents, Google Trends data indicates a growing interest in household water filtration, with search interest for terms such as "best home water filters" and "water filters" increasing by 40% over the past five years. This suggests that, despite generally high confidence in the UK's drinking water quality, consumers may be becoming increasingly conscious of potential contamination risks and looking for additional ways to protect the quality of their household water supply. How else can you protect your water supply, though? 1. Get your tap water tested The simplest way to provide yourself some reassurance when it comes to your drinking water is to have it tested and check what's actually in it. Most water companies will be able to provide you with data if you request it. If you suspect anything further and your water isn’t clear, comes out a certain colour and has a strong odour or metallic taste, it’s a good idea to get it tested by an independant professional. They can confirm what is in it, and then you can work towards a solution to reduce any contaminants you may be concerned about. But even if your water passes regulatory standards, some argue that these standards are too lenient. Harmful contaminants like PFAS are already known to be present in tap water. And some pesticides can’t always be detected, since there are so many kinds of them. So, you may want to look into a water filter that addresses these concerns if you are worried. 2. Don’t drink the water We all know what water looks like and should taste like. So, whilst it may sound obvious, if it doesn't look or smell normal, it would simply be best to avoid drinking it. Especially if you suspect that it is contaminated with something that could be harmful to your health. But what do you replace your drinking water with? The most suitable alternative would be bottled water. Preferably from glass bottles or plastic ones that haven't been stored near any sources of heat that may leach the plastic into the water.   3. Boil your water You may have seen certain areas of the country where a 'boiled water notice' is put into place during times when there is a risk of contamination. If your water contains bacteria and viruses, boiling it is one of the best ways of removing them.  That being said, boiling doesn’t completely remove all of the contaminants from your water and can sometimes actually concentrate them more. Some studies have shown that fluoride and heavy metals may actually be concentrated when they are boiled in water due to the water evaporating in steam and leaving the dissolved contaminants behind. 4. Keep your pipes and taps clean Sometimes your pipes and taps can be the culprits when it comes to water contamination. Especially if you live in an older or period property. Alongside investing in a water filter that can reduce lead, you can also take some steps to make sure they are well maintained by regularly cleaning them every 6 months: Cleaning your taps –  Lead, bacteria, mould and other debris can get stuck in the aerators (the little mesh at the end of your tap). Remove the aerators and soak them in white vinegar for a few minutes before scrubbing gently with a brush. Flushing your pipes  – This can help remove contaminants from your water. It’s great to do if there’s been construction in your neighbourhood that’s disrupted your water supply. Remove the aerators and turn on all hot water taps (including bathtubs and showers) for 15 minutes. Turn them off, and then switch on cold water taps starting from the bottom floor (if your house has multiple levels) and work your way up, until they’re all on. Leave them running for 30 minutes. Then turn off all taps starting from the top floor and work your way down. 5. Filter your water Installing a water filter in your home is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from contaminated water.  Doulton’s range of ceramic filters are designed to provide reassurance to households around the world and have a range of options specifically engineered to address water concerns. This can be anything from PFAs, by using our British Berkefeld system with Ultra Sterasyl filters, to an under sink system that harnesses the power of our Biotect Ultra. All of our water filter systems are designed to reduce your concerns whilst retaining healthy minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Hopefully, we won't be in a position where our water becomes unsafe, but by following these 5 tips, you’ll be able to have a little more daily resurrance when it comes to your drinking water. But the easiest way to protect yourself is to filter your water. With a filter, you’ll be drinking clean and pristine water that contributes to your wellbeing.   Want to find the right filter for your home? Browse our range of water filter solutions now.