According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Blackburn scores 9.4/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by United Utilities and has been tested for 16 contaminants across 4 postcode districts.
9.4 / 10
4 areas tested · 0 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Blackburn tap water is safe to drink. Based on 4 areas tested, Blackburn has an average water quality score of 9.4/10 (above the UK average of 9.0/10). No contaminants were found above recommended levels. Water is supplied by United Utilities. United Utilities serves Blackburn from Pennine reservoirs including Jumbles and the Rivington group.
32mg of limescale minerals in every litre, on average across Blackburn
From 17 mg/L in BB3 to 39 mg/L in BB1. Hard starts at 180, very hard at 250. Districts marked with an asterisk take their postcode area's median rather than a reading of their own.
Main water supplier: United Utilities (4 postcodes)
None of the 4 rivers and waters that Blackburn 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blakewater | Moderate | BB1 |
| Bradshaw Brook | Moderate | BL7 |
| Darwen - conf Davy Field Bk to conf Blakewater | Moderate | BB2 |
| Darwen - headwaters to conf Davy Field Bk | Moderate | BB3 |
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.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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, Blackburn tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 4 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.4/10. United Utilities serves Blackburn from Pennine reservoirs including Jumbles and the Rivington group.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Blackburn. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 4 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.4/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
No contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across Blackburn. All tested areas passed on the parameters measured.
Water in Blackburn has an average hardness of 32 mg/L CaCO₃, which is classified as soft. It ranges from 17 mg/L in BB3 to 39 mg/L in BB1. Soft water is gentle on appliances and skin.
The areas with the best water quality in Blackburn are BB1 (9.6/10), BB3 (9.5/10), BB2 (9.3/10).
Water in Blackburn is supplied by United Utilities. United Utilities serves Blackburn from Pennine reservoirs including Jumbles and the Rivington group.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 4 areas tested in Blackburn.
Free live water quality widget for BB1: 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 Blackburn.
Based on water quality data from 4 postcode districts in Blackburn. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.