Tap water in BS49, North SomersetToo few tap tests to call it.
Supplied by Bristol Water. 10 substances, latest on 1 May 2026. These are river and groundwater samples near BS49, not tests of treated tap water, so treat the score as a rough guide.
9.5 / 10
The tank is as full as the score.
What to do about it
ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready-Pour
£40typical price
Households concerned about PFAS and heavy metals
Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink
£70typical price
High-volume under-sink filtration without RO complexity
BRITA Marella XL + MAXTRA PRO
£25typical price
Basic chlorine and taste improvement on a budget
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What's in a glass of BS49 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.
Nitrite came closest to a limit, at 8% of it. 4 of 4 substances used under a quarter of theirs.
- Nitrite8%
- Nitrate7%
- Ammonia6%
- Copper<1%
- pH 7.98 pH
- Temperature 12.8 °C
- Conductivity 716 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.13 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 9.6 mg/L
- Zinc 0.0373 mg/L
All 10 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.98 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 12.8 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 716 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 3.5 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 7% |
| Nitrite | 0.038 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 8% |
| Phosphate | 0.13 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 9.6 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.031 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 6% |
| Copper | 0.00148 mg/L | 2 mg/L | <1% |
| Zinc | 0.0373 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
Your river is the Kenn Moor SSSI, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Kenn Moor SSSI as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by fish and dissolved oxygen. 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
24
forever-chemical detections in nearby rivers and groundwater
At 1 site. The highest was PFPeA at 0.019 µg/L, at Wraxall Service Station Borehole, 7.7 km away, in April 2024. These are river and borehole samples, not tests of your tap water.
Every PFAS sample around Bristol · Which filters remove PFAS · PFAS explained
BS49 in short
Tap water in BS49 (North Somerset) is supplied by Bristol Water in the North Somerset Central zone and scores 9.5 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. None of the 10 tested substances came close to a limit. The latest sample is from 1 May 2026.
- 2nd cleanest of 10 areas tested in BristolOnly 1 area in Bristol scored higher. The best is BS40 on 9.6. Every area in Bristol
- PFAS found at 1 monitoring site within 10 kmThose are river and groundwater samples, not tap water. The highest was PFPeA about 7.7 km away. What was measured
- Nothing tested came within 40% of its legal limitThe highest was Nitrite at 8% of the 0.5 mg/L maximum. See every reading
Questions about BS49 water
Is BS49 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, BS49 (North Somerset) water scores 9.5/10, which is safe. 0 of 10 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Bristol Water.
What contaminants are in BS49 water?
We tested 10 contaminants in BS49 water. None exceeded recommended safe levels. 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 BS49?
BS49 (North Somerset) is supplied by Bristol Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Should I use a water filter in BS49?
BS49 water scored 9.5/10 with no contaminants above recommended levels. A filter is optional but can improve taste, especially if you notice a chlorine flavour. See our filter recommendations for your area.
Are there PFAS forever chemicals in BS49 water?
The tap-water tests we hold for BS49 do not include a PFAS result. Environment Agency monitoring found PFAS in 24 river and groundwater samples from 1 sites within 10 km of BS49, the highest being PFPeA at 0.019 µg/L about 7.7 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 BS49?
The Environment Agency rated the Kenn Moor SSSI as moderate for ecological health in its 2025 assessment, meaning the river is noticeably changed by pollution or engineering. It is held back by fish and dissolved oxygen. 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 BS49, 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
- Is UK Tap Water Safe?Everything you need to know about tap water safety in the UK
- Best Water Filters UKEvery filter type compared on what it actually removes
PFAS explainedHow to test your waterBest water filtersFilter shower headsWater testing kitsAll of BristolUK water rankingsWater hardness checkerWater hardness map
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