According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Newcastle scores 9.4/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by Northumbrian Water and has been tested for 20 contaminants across 9 postcode districts.
9.4 / 10
9 areas tested · 0 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Newcastle tap water is safe to drink. Based on 9 areas tested, Newcastle 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 Northumbrian Water. Northumbrian Water supplies Newcastle from Kielder Water, Europe's largest man-made lake.
All postcode districts in Newcastle, ranked by water quality score.
| Postcode | Area | Score | Flagged | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE13 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.2 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE6 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.2 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE15 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.3 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE3 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.3 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE4 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.3 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE1 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.4 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE2 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.4 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE5 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.5 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
| NE7 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 9.6 | 0 | Northumbrian Water |
173mg of limescale minerals in every litre, on average across Newcastle
From 145 mg/L in NE6 to 225 mg/L in NE3. Hard starts at 180, very hard at 250.
| District | Area | mg/L | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| NE3 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 225 | hard |
| NE1 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 193 | hard |
| NE2 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 183 | hard |
| NE7 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 183 | hard |
| NE4 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 178 | moderately hard |
| NE13 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 150 | moderately hard |
| NE15 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 150 | moderately hard |
| NE5 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 150 | moderately hard |
| NE6 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 145 | moderately hard |
Main water supplier: Northumbrian Water (9 postcodes)
None of the 3 rivers and waters that Newcastle 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ouse Burn from Source to Tyne | Moderate | NE2, NE3, NE5, NE6, NE7, NE13 |
| Tyne | Moderate | NE1, NE4 |
| New Burn (Trib of Tyne) | Moderate | NE15 |
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, Newcastle tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 9 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.4/10. Northumbrian Water supplies Newcastle from Kielder Water, Europe's largest man-made lake.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Newcastle. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 9 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 Newcastle. All tested areas passed on the parameters measured.
Water in Newcastle has an average hardness of 173 mg/L CaCO₃, which is classified as moderately hard. It ranges from 145 mg/L in NE6 to 225 mg/L in NE3. This is a moderate hardness level.
The areas with the best water quality in Newcastle are NE7 (9.6/10), NE5 (9.5/10), NE1 (9.4/10).
Water in Newcastle is supplied by Northumbrian Water. Northumbrian Water supplies Newcastle from Kielder Water, Europe's largest man-made lake.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 9 areas tested in Newcastle.
Free live water quality widget for NE7: 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 Newcastle.
Based on water quality data from 9 postcode districts in Newcastle. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.