Under new rules entering into application today, Member States must monitor, in a harmonised way, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in drinking water to ensure compliance with the new EU limit values under the recast Drinking Water Directive.

On 12th December 2025 South East Water lifted the instruction to boil tap water before use for 24,000 households and businesses in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas with immediate effect.

South East Water has issued a precautionary boil water notice for 24,000 customers in Tunbridge Wells as water supply is restored for flushing toilets and washing only.

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 Drinking Water Inspectorate has announced that a court summons has been issued to South West Water for prosecution for potential offences under section 70(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Uisce Éireann has welcomed the latest Drinking Water Report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which confirms that Ireland’s public drinking water supplies continue to meet exceptionally high standards, with over 99.8% compliance with microbiological and chemical standards.

Almost two million water quality tests will now be carried out each year following a significant expansion of South East Water’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Farnborough. The drinking water company recently secured a new contract with Southern Water to provide drinking water testing services for Southern Water customers.

Anglian Water has been fined a record £1.42 million at Northampton Crown Court following a prosecution by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for drinking water failures affecting around 1.3 million people.

Two new Bills, introduced as Private Members Bills, both with potentially significant impacts for water companies, are due to have their Second readings in Parliament on Friday this week. 

As part of the Pennon Group, SES Water is reporting that it is leading the sector for the fourth year in a row when it comes to its drinking water quality performance.