According to TapWater.uk's analysis, Preston scores 9.2/10 for drinking water quality in 2026. Water is supplied by United Utilities and has been tested for 16 contaminants across 7 postcode districts.
9.2 / 10
7 areas tested · 2 flagged · UK average 9.0
Yes, Preston tap water is safe to drink. Based on 7 areas tested, Preston has an average water quality score of 9.2/10 (above the UK average of 9.0/10). 2 contaminants were flagged above recommended levels across all areas. Water is supplied by United Utilities. United Utilities serves Preston from Thirlmere and Haweswater in the Lake District, via the Pennine aqueduct.
Contaminants flagged most often across the city.
All postcode districts in Preston, ranked by water quality score.
108mg of limescale minerals in every litre, on average across Preston
From 84 mg/L in PR2 to 141 mg/L in PR26. Hard starts at 180, very hard at 250.
Main water supplier: United Utilities (7 postcodes)
None of the 4 rivers and waters that Preston 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ribble | Bad | PR0, PR1 |
| Lostock DS Farington Weir | Moderate | PR25, PR26 |
| Savick Brook | Moderate | PR2, PR11 |
| Darwen - conf Roddlesworth to tidal | Moderate | PR5 |
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, Preston tap water is generally safe to drink. Across 7 areas tested, the average water quality score is 9.2/10. United Utilities serves Preston from Thirlmere and Haweswater in the Lake District, via the Pennine aqueduct.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Preston. It is regulated to UK drinking water standards, and across 7 tested areas the average water quality score is 9.2/10. Enter your postcode for the readings in your exact area.
The most commonly flagged contaminants across Preston are Nickel (flagged in 2 areas). No PFAS were detected.
Water in Preston has an average hardness of 108 mg/L CaCO₃, which is classified as moderately soft. It ranges from 84 mg/L in PR2 to 141 mg/L in PR26. This is a moderate hardness level.
The areas with the best water quality in Preston are PR26 (9.5/10), PR1 (9.4/10), PR2 (9.4/10).
Water in Preston is supplied by United Utilities. United Utilities serves Preston from Thirlmere and Haweswater in the Lake District, via the Pennine aqueduct.
No PFAS (forever chemicals) have been detected in any of the 7 areas tested in Preston.
Free live water quality widget for PR26: paste these two lines anywhere on your page. It stays up to date by itself and credits TapWater.uk automatically.
<div data-tapwater-postcode="PR26"></div>
<script src="https://www.tapwater.uk/widget.js" async></script>Get a detailed water quality report for your exact area in Preston.
Based on water quality data from 7 postcode districts in Preston. Data from your water company via the Stream Water Data Portal and the Environment Agency. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.