According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Birmingham scores 9.2/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by Severn Trent and has been tested for 22 contaminants across 42 postcode districts.
9.2 / 10
42 areas tested · 0 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Birmingham tap water is safe to drink. Based on 42 areas tested, Birmingham has an average water quality score of 9.2/10 (above the UK average of 9.0/10). No contaminants were found above recommended levels. Water is supplied by Severn Trent. Served by Severn Trent, Birmingham's water travels over 70 miles from the Elan Valley in Wales.
All postcode districts in Birmingham, ranked by water quality score.
| Postcode | Area | Score | Flagged | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B7 | Birmingham | 8.5 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B4 | Birmingham | 8.9 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B5 | Birmingham | 8.9 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B73 | Birmingham | 8.9 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B13 | Birmingham | 9.1 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B35 | Birmingham | 9.1 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B42 | Birmingham | 9.1 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B9 | Birmingham | 9.1 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B1 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B12 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B15 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B16 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B18 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B19 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B23 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B24 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B30 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B33 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B34 | Birmingham | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B10 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B11 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B14 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B17 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B20 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B21 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B25 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B26 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B27 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B28 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B29 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B3 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B31 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B32 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B38 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B44 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B45 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B6 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B76 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B8 | Birmingham | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B75 | Birmingham | 9.5 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B2 | Birmingham | 9.6 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| B72 | Birmingham | 9.6 | 0 | Severn Trent |
1 additional area with limited data: B74 Birmingham
Main water supplier: Severn Trent (43 postcodes)
None of the 10 rivers and waters that Birmingham drains into is rated good by the Environment Agency. All of them fail the chemical test, as every river in England does, because of long-lasting pollutants such as mercury and PFOS. This describes the rivers, not your tap water.
| River or water | Ecological health | Postcode districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rea from Bourn Brook to River Tame | Bad | B5, B7 |
| Cole from Springfield to Hatchford-Kingshurst Brook | Poor | B10, B11, B12, B13, B25, B33, B34 |
| Rea source to Bourn Brook | Poor | B30, B31, B38, B45 |
| Cole from Source to Springfield | Poor | B14, B28 |
| Hockley Brook Catchment (trib of Rea) | Moderate | B2, B3, B4, B16, B18, B19 |
| Tame - conf two arms to R Rea | Moderate | B6, B20, B21, B23, B42, B44 |
| Bourn Brook from Source to R Rea | Moderate | B1, B15, B17, B29, B32 |
| Plants Brook Catchment (trib of Tame) | Moderate | B35, B72, B73, B74, B75 |
| Tame - R Rea to R Blythe | Moderate | B8, B9, B24, B76 |
| Hatchford-Kingshurst Brook from Source to R Cole | Moderate | B26, B27 |
Environment Agency classification, 2025. River health across England
Taste, chlorine and hardness bother people even where the water passes its tests. These are the three fixes our readers pick most: a jug for drinking water, a shower filter, and a reverse osmosis unit that needs no plumbing. Check your own postcode above to see which one your water needs.
The jug for cleaner drinking water
ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready-Pour
Jug Filter · NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401
Typical price
£40approx.
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For dry skin and hair after a shower
Jolie Filtered Showerhead
Shower Filter
Typical price
£85approx.
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Reverse osmosis without a plumber
Osmio Zero 2.0 Countertop RO
Reverse Osmosis
Typical price
£495approx.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How recommendations are funded
Yes, Birmingham tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 42 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.2/10. Served by Severn Trent, Birmingham's water travels over 70 miles from the Elan Valley in Wales.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Birmingham. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 42 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.2/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
No contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across Birmingham. All tested areas passed on the parameters measured.
Hardness data is not yet available for Birmingham. Enter your postcode for detailed water quality data.
The areas with the best water quality in Birmingham are B2 (9.6/10), B72 (9.6/10), B75 (9.5/10).
Water in Birmingham is supplied by Severn Trent. Served by Severn Trent, Birmingham's water travels over 70 miles from the Elan Valley in Wales.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 42 areas tested in Birmingham.
Free live water quality widget for B2: paste these two lines anywhere on your page. It stays up to date by itself and credits TapWater.uk automatically.
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<script src="https://www.tapwater.uk/widget.js" async></script>Get a detailed water quality report for your exact area in Birmingham.
Based on water quality data from 42 postcode districts in Birmingham. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.