According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Plymouth scores 9.5/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by South West Water and has been tested for 16 contaminants across 8 postcode districts.
9.5 / 10
8 areas tested · 0 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Plymouth tap water is safe to drink. Based on 8 areas tested, Plymouth has an average water quality score of 9.5/10 (above the UK average of 9.0/10). No contaminants were found above recommended levels. Water is supplied by South West Water. South West Water supplies Plymouth from Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor, a source used since Victorian times.
All postcode districts in Plymouth, ranked by water quality score.
19mg of limescale minerals in every litre, on average across Plymouth
From 17 mg/L in PL1 to 28 mg/L in PL3. 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: South West Water (8 postcodes)
1 of the 3 rivers and waters that Plymouth drains into is rated good or high 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Tamar | Moderate | PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL9 |
| Tory Brook | Moderate | PL7 |
| Lower River Plym | Good | PL6 |
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, Plymouth tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 8 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.5/10. South West Water supplies Plymouth from Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor, a source used since Victorian times.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Plymouth. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 8 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.5/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
No contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across Plymouth. All tested areas passed on the parameters measured.
Water in Plymouth has an average hardness of 19 mg/L CaCO₃, which is classified as soft. It ranges from 17 mg/L in PL1 to 28 mg/L in PL3. Soft water is gentle on appliances and skin.
The areas with the best water quality in Plymouth are PL1 (9.5/10), PL2 (9.5/10), PL3 (9.5/10).
Water in Plymouth is supplied by South West Water. South West Water supplies Plymouth from Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor, a source used since Victorian times.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 8 areas tested in Plymouth.
Free live water quality widget for PL1: paste these two lines anywhere on your page. It stays up to date by itself and credits TapWater.uk automatically.
<div data-tapwater-postcode="PL1"></div>
<script src="https://www.tapwater.uk/widget.js" async></script>Get a detailed water quality report for your exact area in Plymouth.
Based on water quality data from 8 postcode districts in Plymouth. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.