Can You Drink Bathroom Tap Water (UK)?
You wake up thirsty in the middle of the night and the bathroom is only a few steps away. Do you fill a glass from the bathroom tap or make the trip downstairs to the kitchen?
If you’ve ever wondered “can you drink bathroom tap water in the UK?”… The answer depends on how your home supplies that particular tap.
Many newer homes supply cold bathroom taps directly from the mains. Some older properties work differently and may supply the bathroom from a cold water storage tank, often found in the loft.
That’s where the old advice about not drinking from the bathroom tap comes from.
Summary: Can you drink bathroom tap water (UK)?
- A mains-fed cold bathroom tap should supply drinking water
- Some older UK homes supply bathroom taps from a cold water storage tank
- Water from a properly maintained storage tank can be safe, but the Drinking Water Inspectorate recommends using a mains-fed tap for drinking
- If you’re unsure where your bathroom water comes from, a qualified plumber can check
- Stick to cold water rather than drinking from the hot tap
Can you drink water from a bathroom tap in the UK?
Potentially, yes.
The important question isn’t really whether the tap happens to be in your bathroom. It’s where the water comes from before it reaches the tap.
If your cold bathroom tap connects directly to the mains, the water should be suitable for drinking.
However, many older British homes have a cold water storage tank in the loft. Traditionally, the kitchen cold tap connected directly to the mains while the tank supplied water to bathrooms elsewhere in the house.
That explains why plenty of us grew up hearing, “Don’t drink from the bathroom tap.”
Why do some bathrooms have tank-fed water?
Many older properties still have cold water storage tanks, usually in the roof space or loft, according to the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Stored water isn’t automatically unsafe. A properly designed, installed and maintained tank can provide safe water.
The problem is that not every old tank has spent its life in perfect condition.
A loose or damaged lid can allow dust, insects and other contaminants inside. Water quality can also suffer if the water becomes too warm or remains in the tank for too long.
And let’s face it, the tank tucked away in the loft probably isn’t something most of us check very often.
This is why the Drinking Water Inspectorate recommends using a mains-fed tap for drinking, preparing food and cleaning your teeth.
What about bathroom taps in newer homes?
Newer homes often work differently.
- The Drinking Water Inspectorate says properties with unvented heating systems are likely to supply their hot and cold taps directly under mains pressure.
- So, bathroom water isn’t somehow different simply because it comes from a bathroom.
- If the cold tap connects to the mains, its location isn’t the issue.
You may occasionally notice that water from a bathroom tap tastes slightly different, especially if nobody has used it for a while.
Water sitting in household pipework can develop a stale taste, so running the cold tap briefly can bring fresh water through.
How do I know if my bathroom tap is mains-fed?
You might already know whether you have a cold water tank in your loft. If you do, that doesn’t necessarily mean it supplies your bathroom taps.
There are a few clues.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate says that if you can hold back the flow from a fully opened cold tap with your thumb, it’s likely that the water comes from a tank rather than directly from the mains.
Treat that as an indication rather than a definitive plumbing test.
If you’re still unsure, ask a qualified plumber. They can check the water supply and tell you exactly where the bathroom tap gets its water.
Can you drink water from a storage tank?
You can in some circumstances, but a lot depends on the tank.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate says stored water can remain safe when the tank has the correct design and maintenance. It should have a secure lid to keep out dust, insects and animals, and the water should stay cool.
Older tanks may need more attention.
For example, galvanised iron tanks can rust as they age, which can affect the appearance or taste of the water.
If you’ve moved into an older house and have no idea what condition the tank is in, the safer option is to use a mains-fed tap for drinking until you know more about the plumbing.
Can you drink water from the hot bathroom tap?
It’s better to use cold water for drinking.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate advises against using hot tap water for drinking or cooking because it can contain higher levels of metals such as copper from your home’s plumbing.
That applies to the kitchen as well as the bathroom.
Use suitable cold tap water and heat it afterwards if you need hot water for a drink or cooking.
What if the bathroom water looks or tastes strange?
Don’t ignore a sudden change in the colour, smell or taste of your water.
Check another cold tap in the house first. If the problem only affects one tap, your household plumbing could be the cause.
If several taps have the same problem, contact your water supplier for advice.
And if you’re simply not sure whether a bathroom tap is suitable for drinking, there’s no need to guess. Use the kitchen cold tap until you can check.
FAQs – drinking bathroom tap water
Can you brush your teeth with bathroom tap water?
If your bathroom cold tap connects directly to the mains, you can use it to brush your teeth.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate recommends using mains-fed water for drinking, preparing food and cleaning your teeth.
Is kitchen tap water safer than bathroom tap water?
Not necessarily. It comes down to the water supply rather than the room.
The kitchen cold tap usually connects directly to the mains, which is why it’s the usual choice for drinking water. A mains-fed bathroom cold tap can provide drinking water too.
Why does my bathroom tap water taste different?
Water can develop a different taste after sitting in household pipes for some time.
Try running the cold tap briefly. If an unusual taste or smell continues, particularly across several taps, contact your water supplier.
Final thoughts
So, can you drink bathroom tap water in the UK? If your cold bathroom tap connects directly to the mains, the water should be suitable for drinking.
Things become less straightforward in older homes where a storage tank supplies the bathroom. The water can still be safe if the tank is properly designed and maintained, but the Drinking Water Inspectorate recommends choosing a mains-fed tap for drinking where possible.
It’s a good reminder that there’s more to a bathroom than the things you can see.
Thinking about making a few changes to your bathroom? You may also find these Ability Bathe guides useful:
- Replacing a bath with a shower
- Wet room ideas for the disabled
- Shower room ideas to inspire you
- Bathroom ventilation guide
We design and install bathrooms around the people who use them. We’re a family-run business with more than 35 years of industry experience.
Ability Bathe are bathroom fitters Devon loves. We’re bathroom fitters Torquay customers rate highly.
We’re also bathroom fitters Exeter trusts, bathroom fitters Plymouth… name the place, we cover the South-West region with our team covering all trades.
If you’re thinking about a new bathroom, contact the Ability Bathe team to arrange a free home design visit and no-obligation quote.
