According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Derby scores 9.1/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by Severn Trent and has been tested for 20 contaminants across 10 postcode districts.
9.1 / 10
10 areas tested · 0 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Derby tap water is safe to drink. Based on 10 areas tested, Derby has an average water quality score of 9.1/10 (level with the UK average of 9.0/10). No contaminants were found above recommended levels. Water is supplied by Severn Trent. Severn Trent supplies Derby from the Derwent Valley reservoirs, which also supply much of the East Midlands.
All postcode districts in Derby, ranked by water quality score.
| Postcode | Area | Score | Flagged | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3 | Derby | 8.6 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE5 | Amber Valley | 9.0 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE56 | Amber Valley | 9.0 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE55 | Amber Valley | 9.1 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE21 | Derby | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE23 | Derby | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE75 | Amber Valley | 9.2 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE1 | Derby | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE22 | Derby | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
| DE24 | Derby | 9.3 | 0 | Severn Trent |
Main water supplier: Severn Trent (10 postcodes)
None of the 9 rivers and waters that Derby 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey Brook Catchment (trib of Erewash) | Poor | DE75 |
| Markeaton Brook from Mackworth Brook to Derwent | Moderate | DE1, DE22 |
| Alfreton Brook from Westwood Brook to Amber | Moderate | DE55 |
| Bottle Brook Catchment (trib of Derwent) | Moderate | DE5 |
| Chaddesden Brook Catchment (trib of Derwent) | Moderate | DE21 |
| Cuttle Brook Catchment (trib of Trent) | Moderate | DE23 |
| Derwent from Amber to Bottle Brook | Moderate | DE56 |
| Derwent from Bottle Brook to Trent | Moderate | DE24 |
| Eggington Brook Catchment (trib of Trent) | Moderate | DE3 |
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, Derby tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 10 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.1/10. Severn Trent supplies Derby from the Derwent Valley reservoirs, which also supply much of the East Midlands.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Derby. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 10 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.1/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
No contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across Derby. All tested areas passed on the parameters measured.
Hardness data is not yet available for Derby. Enter your postcode for detailed water quality data.
The areas with the best water quality in Derby are DE1 (9.3/10), DE22 (9.3/10), DE24 (9.3/10).
Water in Derby is supplied by Severn Trent. Severn Trent supplies Derby from the Derwent Valley reservoirs, which also supply much of the East Midlands.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 10 areas tested in Derby.
Free live water quality widget for DE1: 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 Derby.
Based on water quality data from 10 postcode districts in Derby. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.