PFAS in UK Tap Water: What Are Forever Chemicals and How Can You Filter Them Out?
Published: 3 March 2026
You’ve probably heard about impurities that can appear in tap water — things like microplastics, trace metals or sediment. While UK drinking water is treated to strict safety standards and is safe to drink, trace contaminants can still exist in small amounts.
One group of chemicals that has gained increasing attention in recent years is PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- What PFAS are
- Why they’re called forever chemicals
- How PFAS enter drinking water
- Whether they pose health concerns
- How modern water filtration can help reduce them
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals used in thousands of industrial and consumer products.*
They are valued for their water-resistant, grease-resistant and stain-repellent properties, which means they appear in many everyday items including:
Because PFAS have been widely used since the 1940s, they are now found in soil, water, food and household dust.*
Why are PFAS called “forever chemicals”?
PFAS are often called forever chemicals because they do not easily break down in the environment.*
Some PFAS compounds can take hundreds or even thousands of years to degrade, allowing them to accumulate in water sources and living organisms.*
Scientists have identified more than 9,000 PFAS compounds, making regulation and removal extremely complex.*
What are the potential health risks of PFAS?
Research into PFAS exposure is ongoing, but studies suggest high exposure to certain PFAS chemicals may be linked to:
- Immune system suppression
- Hormonal disruption
- Liver damage
- Thyroid disease
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Developmental issues in infants and children
According to the European Environment Agency, people exposed to higher concentrations of PFAS may face greater health risks.*
How do PFAS enter tap water?
PFAS can enter drinking water through industrial and environmental contamination.*
Higher concentrations may occur near:
- Industrial manufacturing sites
- Airports
- Fire training facilities
- Landfills and waste disposal sites
These chemicals can leak into soil, rivers and groundwater, eventually reaching drinking water sources.*
In the UK, the Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate monitor PFAS levels in water supplies.*
PFAS water filter UK: Why filtration matters more than ever
If you’re concerned about PFAS in drinking water, the good news is that advanced water filtration can significantly reduce these chemicals.*
However, not all filters are capable of removing PFAS.
Basic sediment filters only remove larger particles and do not capture ultra-small chemical compounds like PFAS.
For effective reduction, activated carbon filtration is widely recognised as one of the most effective technologies.*
The best water filters for PFAS reduction
Activated carbon filtration works by adsorbing contaminants onto the surface of the carbon, helping remove a wide range of impurities from drinking water.*
At The Tap Specialist, we supply Zip HydroTap systems, which feature Zip’s MicroPurity filtration technology.
This advanced filtration helps reduce:
- Chlorine and unpleasant tastes
- Dirt and sediment
- Microplastics
- Organic chemicals
- Microbiological cysts (99.9%)
Zip MicroPurity filters are certified to reduce up to 99.4% of PFAS, helping deliver cleaner, better tasting water.*
How MicroPurity Filters Work
This is one reason Zip HydroTap systems are widely specified in offices, hospitals and commercial buildings worldwide.
Are PFAS present in bottled water?
Many people assume bottled water is safer than tap water. However, studies have detected PFAS compounds in bottled water samples globally.*
Two of the most widely studied PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — have been detected in many bottled water samples.*
Using a high-quality filtration system at home can therefore be a more reliable and sustainable way to improve drinking water quality.
The Tap Specialist: UK experts in Zip HydroTap systems
The Tap Specialist is the exclusive online-only stockist of Zip HydroTap in the UK, specialising in premium instant boiling, chilled and sparkling water taps.
Whether you're upgrading your kitchen or specifying a system for a workplace, our team can help you choose the right solution.
We regularly work with:
- Homeowners
- Kitchen designers
- Interior designers
- Architects and specifiers
-
Office managers
Need help choosing the right Zip HydroTap?
Choosing the right boiling water tap depends on:
- Kitchen layout
- Household size
- Boiling, chilled or sparkling water requirements
- Filtration preferences
- Office or commercial usage
Our team can help you specify the perfect Zip HydroTap for your home or workplace.
Contact The Tap Specialist today to find the ideal Zip HydroTap for your home kitchen or office.
📞 Speak to an Expert Instantly - Call Now
💬 Chat with a Tap Expert Now on WhatsApp
📅 Book Your Free Consultation Call
PFAS in water: Frequently asked questions
Do UK water supplies contain PFAS?
Trace levels of PFAS have been detected in some UK water sources. The Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate monitor these chemicals as part of ongoing water quality testing.*
Does boiling water remove PFAS?
No. PFAS chemicals are highly stable and boiling water does not remove them.*
Do water filters remove PFAS?
Certain filtration technologies, particularly activated carbon filters, can significantly reduce PFAS concentrations.*
Is bottled water free from PFAS?
No. Some research has detected PFAS in bottled water samples from multiple countries.*
Sources
* European Environment Agency — PFAS and health impacts
https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/emerging-chemical-risks-in-europe/pfas
* UK Environment Agency — PFAS in the environment
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/perfluoroalkyl-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-in-the-environment
* Drinking Water Inspectorate — PFAS monitoring
https://www.dwi.gov.uk/what-we-do/chemical-contaminants/pfas/
* US Environmental Protection Agency — PFAS explained
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
* World Health Organization — PFAS overview
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
* Zip Water — MicroPurity PFAS filtration performance
https://www.zipwater.com/hydrotap/filtration/pfas
* Environmental Science & Technology — PFAS in bottled water study
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00027