According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Brighton scores 9.3/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by Southern Water and has been tested for 23 contaminants across 4 postcode districts.
9.3 / 10
4 areas tested · 4 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Brighton tap water is safe to drink. Based on 4 areas tested, Brighton has an average water quality score of 9.3/10 (above the UK average of 9.0/10). 4 contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across all areas. Water is supplied by Southern Water. Southern Water supplies Brighton from chalk aquifers beneath the South Downs, producing naturally hard water.
Contaminants flagged most often across the city.
Main water supplier: Southern Water (4 postcodes)
None of the 1 rivers and waters that Brighton 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.
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.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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, Brighton tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 4 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.3/10. Southern Water supplies Brighton from chalk aquifers beneath the South Downs, producing naturally hard water.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Brighton. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 4 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.3/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
The most commonly flagged contaminants across Brighton are Nitrate (flagged in 4 areas). No PFAS were detected.
Hardness data is not yet available for Brighton. Enter your postcode for detailed water quality data.
The areas with the best water quality in Brighton are BN1 (9.3/10), BN2 (9.3/10), BN3 (9.3/10).
Water in Brighton is supplied by Southern Water. Southern Water supplies Brighton from chalk aquifers beneath the South Downs, producing naturally hard water.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 4 areas tested in Brighton.
Free live water quality widget for BN1: paste these two lines anywhere on your page. It stays up to date by itself and credits TapWater.uk automatically.
<div data-tapwater-postcode="BN1"></div>
<script src="https://www.tapwater.uk/widget.js" async></script>Get a detailed water quality report for your exact area in Brighton.
Based on water quality data from 4 postcode districts in Brighton. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.