Tap water in CT5, CanterburyTurbidity is over the limit.
Supplied by Southern Water. 9 substances, latest on 3 September 2026. Turbidity came in above the legal limit. Everything else passed.
8.1 / 10
The tank is as full as the score.
What to do about it
Osmio PRO-III Ultimate Whole House
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Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in CT5.
BWT E1 Single Lever
£250typical price
Removes turbidity, the result that stood out in CT5.
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 CT5 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.
Turbidity is over its legal limit, at 125% of it.
- Turbidity125%
- Nitrate8%
- Ammonia6%
- Nitrite3%
- pH 8.12 pH
- Temperature 8.1 °C
- Conductivity 702 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.11 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 11.4 mg/L
All 9 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 5 NTU | 4 NTU | 125% |
| pH | 8.12 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 8.1 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 702 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.031 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 6% |
| Nitrate | 4.1 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 8% |
| Nitrite | 0.013 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 3% |
| Phosphate | 0.11 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 11.4 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
Your river is the Swalecliffe Brook, rated poor
The Environment Agency rated the Swalecliffe Brook 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 insects and other small river life, water plants and algae 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
CT5 in short
Tap water in CT5 (Canterbury) is supplied by Southern Water in the Canterbury Central zone and scores 8.1 out of 10, against an England and Wales average of 9.0. 1 of 9 tested substances was close to or over a limit. The latest sample is from 3 September 2026.
- Turbidity was measured at 5 NTU, 25% over the UK limitIt is the only one of 9 tested substances to go over its limit. See the full results
- The lowest score of the 5 areas tested in CanterburyCT5 scores 8.1 out of 10. The best in Canterbury, CT2, scores 9.5.
- Every one of the 4 neighbouring districts scores higherCT4 next door scores 9.5, against 8.1 here. Supply zones, not distance, explain the gap. See CT4
Questions about CT5 water
Is CT5 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, CT5 (Canterbury) water scores 8.1/10, which is safe. 1 of 9 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Southern Water.
What contaminants are in CT5 water?
We tested 9 contaminants in CT5 water. 1 were flagged, including Turbidity.
Who supplies water in CT5?
CT5 (Canterbury) is supplied by Southern Water. You can view their full profile and compliance data on our supplier page.
Should I use a water filter in CT5?
With 1 contaminant above recommended levels in CT5, a water filter could help. A filter jug or under-sink filter can reduce most common contaminants. See our filter recommendations for your area.
Are there PFAS forever chemicals in CT5 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for CT5, and the Environment Agency has no PFAS detections in rivers or groundwater within 10 km of it. That reflects where sampling has happened as much as the water itself.
How clean is the river near CT5?
The Environment Agency rated the Swalecliffe Brook 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 insects and other small river life, water plants and algae 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 CT5, which is treated before it reaches homes.
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