Tap water in BS39, Bath and North East SomersetAmmonia is over the limit.
Supplied by Wessex Water. 13 substances, latest on 8 October 2025. Ammonia came in above the legal limit. Everything else passed.
8.1 / 10
The tank is as full as the score.
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What's in a glass of BS39 water
Every bubble is a substance the lab measured. The higher it floats, the closer it came to its legal limit, the dashed line at the top.
Ammonia is over its legal limit, at 420% of it.
- Ammonia420%
- Iron29%
- Boron10%
- Nitrate9%
- Manganese8%
- Nickel1%
- Lead<1%
- Copper<1%
- pH 8.34 pH
- Temperature 12.5 °C
- Conductivity 739 µS/cm
- Dissolved Oxygen 10.2 mg/L
- Zinc 0.0031 mg/L
All 13 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | 2.1 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 420% |
| pH | 8.34 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 12.5 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 739 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 10.2 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Boron | 0.1 mg/L | 1 mg/L | 10% |
| Lead | 0.00004 mg/L | 0.01 mg/L | <1% |
| Zinc | 0.0031 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Nickel | 0.00022 mg/L | 0.02 mg/L | 1% |
| Manganese | 0.0041 mg/L | 0.05 mg/L | 8% |
| Copper | 0.0003 mg/L | 2 mg/L | <1% |
| Nitrate | 4.6 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 9% |
| Iron | 0.0586 mg/L | 0.2 mg/L | 29% |
Your river is the Cam Bk - source to conf Wellow Bk, rated poor
The Environment Agency rated the Cam Bk - source to conf Wellow Bk as poor for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is badly affected, with much of the expected wildlife missing. It is held back by fish and phosphate. It fails the chemical test, as every river, estuary and stretch of coast in England does, because of long-lasting pollutants such as mercury, PFOS (a forever chemical) and old flame retardants.
None of this is a test of your tap water. Environment Agency record · River health across England
47
forever-chemical detections in nearby rivers and groundwater
At 4 sites. The highest was PFBS at 0.007 µg/L, at D/S Farmborough STW, 4.7 km away, in January 2026. These are river and borehole samples, not tests of your tap water.
Every PFAS sample around Bristol · Which filters remove PFAS · PFAS explained
BS39 in short
Tap water in BS39 (Bath and North East Somerset) is supplied by Wessex Water in the Bath and North East Somerset Central zone and scores 8.1 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. 1 of 13 tested substances was close to or over a limit. The latest sample is from 8 October 2025.
- Ammonia was measured at 2.1 mg/L, 4.2 times the UK limitIt is the only one of 13 tested substances to go over its limit. See the full results
- The lowest score of the 4 areas tested in BathBS39 scores 8.1 out of 10. The best in Bath, BA1, scores 8.9. Every area in Bath
- Every one of the 3 neighbouring districts scores higherBA2 next door scores 8.9, against 8.1 here. Supply zones, not distance, explain the gap. See BA2
Questions about BS39 water
Is BS39 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, BS39 (Bath and North East Somerset) water scores 8.1/10, which is safe. 1 of 13 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Wessex Water.
What contaminants are in BS39 water?
We tested 13 contaminants in BS39 water. 1 were flagged, including Ammonia. PFAS (forever chemicals) were also measured in rivers and groundwater within 10 km, though not in the tap-water tests themselves.
Who supplies water in BS39?
BS39 (Bath and North East Somerset) is supplied by Wessex Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Should I use a water filter in BS39?
With 1 contaminant above recommended levels in BS39, a water filter could help. A reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter is recommended for PFAS removal. See our filter recommendations for your area.
Are there PFAS forever chemicals in BS39 water?
The tap-water tests we hold for BS39 do not include a PFAS result. Environment Agency monitoring found PFAS in 47 river and groundwater samples from 4 sites within 10 km of BS39, the highest being PFBS at 0.007 µg/L about 4.7 km away. These are environmental samples, not tests of tap water. The UK currently has no legal limit for PFAS in drinking water; the Drinking Water Inspectorate uses a 0.1 µg/L guideline for individual compounds. Reverse osmosis filters can reduce PFAS levels.
How clean is the river near BS39?
The Environment Agency rated the Cam Bk - source to conf Wellow Bk as poor for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is badly affected, with much of the expected wildlife missing. It is held back by fish and phosphate. It fails the chemical test, as every river, estuary and stretch of coast in England does, because of long-lasting pollutants such as mercury, PFOS (a forever chemical) and old flame retardants. This is a rating of the river, not of tap water in BS39, which is treated before it reaches homes.
Keep reading
- Best Filter for PFAS RemovalThe filters with independent certification to remove forever chemicals
- PFAS Forever ChemicalsWhat PFAS are and how to reduce your exposure at home
- Best Water Filters UKEvery filter type compared on what it actually removes
- Is UK Tap Water Safe?Everything you need to know about tap water safety in the UK
PFAS explainedHow to test your waterBest water filtersFilter shower headsWater testing kitsAll of BathUK water rankingsWater hardness checkerWater hardness map
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