The BBC is reporting that 7 water companies in England and Wales have been ordered to cut levels of Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals”, in drinking water which could pose a potential danger to human health.
The broadcaster has calculated that 6 million customers receive drinking water from sources subject to 23 enforcement notices are currently in place against 7 companies for elevated levels of PFAS.
A number of specific PFAS have been linked to potentially serious detrimental impacts on human health, including some cancers, reduced fertility and developmental effects in children such as low birth weight.
The large group of thousands of synthetic organic chemicals which are heat-resistant, protect surfaces from water, grease or friction, and have fire-retardant and stain-resistant properties, have been widely used in industry and everyday consumer products since the 1940s.
Since 2021 the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has required water companies in England and Wales to test for nearly 50 of the forever chemicals of most concern.The DWI says that the enforcement notices means the drinking water is safe.
The report on this morning's Radio 4 Today programme said that Water UK, the body which represents all the UK water companies, has told the BBC that consumers can be confident that the drinking water is safe.
However, the BBC is reporting that both Water UK and environmental charities are calling for the chemicals, which are present in a wide range of domestic products, to be banned in order to limit further build up and reduce the costs of treating water supplies.
In March 2025, the DWI issued a consolidated guidance document to water companies setting out the Inspectorate’s requirements regarding PFAS monitoring, risk assessment, and strategy for public water supply systems
In 2023 the Inspectorate wrote to the water companies setiing out the DWI’s expectations regarding companies AMP8 (2025-2030) strategies for investigating PFAS risk and the trigger levels and actions that will be implemented to mitigate PFAS risk.
A statement on the DWI website says:
"Research and data gathering on PFAS in water sources and drinking water supplies is ongoing. As we learn more our guidance will become more informed."
Click here to download the DWI guidance document
Click here to download the DWI 2023 letter PFAS – Inspectorate expectations for PFAS activity in AMP8
Sulzer has launched a new global Center of Excellence (CoE) for Water Treatment Solutions - the CoE consolidates Sulzer’s wastewater treatment expertise in a unified and global manner.
“SAS (Surplus Activated Sludge) is a bit weird and 
Owen Mace has taken over as Director of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Plastic Pipes Group on the retirement of Caroline Ayres. He was previously Standards and Technical Manager for the group.
PureTec Separations, the Ledbury-based water treatment engineering firm, has appointed Dan Norman as its new Sales Manager – Water Process Systems, supporting the company’s continued growth in the UK and international markets.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.