According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Middlesbrough scores 9.6/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by Northumbrian Water and has been tested for 21 contaminants across 15 postcode districts.
9.6 / 10
15 areas tested · 0 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Middlesbrough tap water is safe to drink. Based on 15 areas tested, Middlesbrough has an average water quality score of 9.6/10 (above the UK average of 9.0/10). No contaminants were found above recommended levels. Water is supplied by Northumbrian Water. Northumbrian Water serves Middlesbrough from Scaling Dam and other Teesside reservoirs fed by the North Yorkshire Moors.
All postcode districts in Middlesbrough, ranked by water quality score.
| Postcode | Area | Score | Flagged | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TS22 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.4 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS4 | Middlesbrough | 9.4 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS1 | Middlesbrough | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS16 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS17 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS2 | Middlesbrough | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS20 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS23 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS3 | Middlesbrough | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS8 | Middlesbrough | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS15 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.7 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS18 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.7 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS19 | Stockton-on-Tees | 9.7 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS5 | Middlesbrough | 9.7 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| TS7 | Middlesbrough | 9.7 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
145mg of limescale minerals in every litre, on average across Middlesbrough
From 133 mg/L in TS5 to 158 mg/L in TS19. 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.
| District | Area | mg/L | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| TS19 | Stockton-on-Tees | 158 | moderately hard |
| TS20 | Stockton-on-Tees | 158 | moderately hard |
| TS23 | Stockton-on-Tees | 155 | moderately hard |
| TS15 | Stockton-on-Tees | 150 | moderately hard |
| TS17 | Stockton-on-Tees | 150 | moderately hard |
| TS8 | Middlesbrough | 150 | moderately hard |
| TS1 | Middlesbrough | 143 | moderately hard |
| TS2 | Middlesbrough | 143 | moderately hard |
| TS22* | Stockton-on-Tees | 143 | moderately hard |
| TS7 | Middlesbrough | 143 | moderately hard |
| TS16 | Stockton-on-Tees | 138 | moderately hard |
| TS18 | Stockton-on-Tees | 138 | moderately hard |
| TS3 | Middlesbrough | 133 | moderately hard |
| TS4 | Middlesbrough | 133 | moderately hard |
| TS5 | Middlesbrough | 133 | moderately hard |
Main water supplier: Northumbrian Water (15 postcodes)
None of the 7 rivers and waters that Middlesbrough 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stainsby Beck Catchment (trib of Tidal Tees) | Bad | TS8 |
| Saltergill Beck Catchment (trib of Tees) | Poor | TS15 |
| Marton West Beck Catchment (trib of Tidal Tees) | Moderate | TS1, TS3, TS4, TS5, TS7 |
| Tees from Skerne to Tidal Limit | Moderate | TS16, TS17, TS18 |
| Cowbridge Beck from Source to North Burn | Moderate | TS22, TS23 |
| Lustrum Beck Catchment (trib of Tees) | Moderate | TS19, TS20 |
| Tees | Moderate | TS2 |
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
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Typical price
£40approx.
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For dry skin and hair after a shower
Jolie Filtered Showerhead
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Typical price
£85approx.
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Reverse osmosis without a plumber
Osmio Zero 2.0 Countertop RO
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Typical price
£495approx.
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Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How recommendations are funded
Yes, Middlesbrough tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 15 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.6/10. Northumbrian Water serves Middlesbrough from Scaling Dam and other Teesside reservoirs fed by the North Yorkshire Moors.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Middlesbrough. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 15 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.6/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
No contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across Middlesbrough. All tested areas passed on the parameters measured.
Water in Middlesbrough has an average hardness of 145 mg/L CaCO₃, which is classified as moderately hard. It ranges from 133 mg/L in TS5 to 158 mg/L in TS19. This is a moderate hardness level.
The areas with the best water quality in Middlesbrough are TS15 (9.7/10), TS18 (9.7/10), TS19 (9.7/10).
Water in Middlesbrough is supplied by Northumbrian Water. Northumbrian Water serves Middlesbrough from Scaling Dam and other Teesside reservoirs fed by the North Yorkshire Moors.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 15 areas tested in Middlesbrough.
Free live water quality widget for TS15: 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 Middlesbrough.
Based on water quality data from 15 postcode districts in Middlesbrough. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.