Tap water in ME17, MaidstoneToo few tap tests to call it.
Supplied by Southern Water. 10 substances, latest on 15 September 2026. These are river and groundwater samples near ME17, not tests of treated tap water, so treat the score as a rough guide.
9.2 / 10
The tank is as full as the score.
What to do about it
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Households concerned about PFAS and heavy metals
Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink
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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 ME17 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.
Nitrate came closest to a limit, at 13% of it. 4 of 4 substances used under a quarter of theirs.
- Nitrate13%
- Ammonia13%
- Nitrite4%
- Copper<1%
- pH 8.08 pH
- Temperature 17.8 °C
- Conductivity 610 µS/cm
- Phosphate 0.092 mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen 8.79 mg/L
- Zinc 0.0242 mg/L
All 10 results as a table
| Substance | Result | Legal limit | Share of limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.08 pH | No legal limit | – |
| Temperature | 17.8 °C | No legal limit | – |
| Conductivity | 610 µS/cm | No legal limit | – |
| Nitrate | 6.7 mg/L | 50 mg/L | 13% |
| Nitrite | 0.019 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 4% |
| Phosphate | 0.092 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 8.79 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
| Ammonia | 0.066 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 13% |
| Copper | 0.0022 mg/L | 2 mg/L | <1% |
| Zinc | 0.0242 mg/L | No legal limit | – |
Your river is the Loose Stream, rated moderate
The Environment Agency rated the Loose Stream 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 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
ME17 in short
Tap water in ME17 (Maidstone) is supplied by Southern Water in the Maidstone Central zone and scores 9.2 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 15 September 2026.
- 4th cleanest of 6 areas tested in MaidstoneSquarely mid-table for Maidstone, between ME15 on 9.4 and ME16 on 7.7.
- Nothing tested came within 40% of its legal limitThe highest was Nitrate at 13% of the 50 mg/L maximum. See every reading
- Scores higher than 2 of 5 neighbouring districtsWater here is typical for the immediate area, which usually means the same treatment works and the same supply zone.
Questions about ME17 water
Is ME17 tap water safe to drink?
Based on the latest tests, ME17 (Maidstone) water scores 9.2/10, which is safe. 0 of 10 tested contaminants exceeded recommended levels. Water is supplied by Southern Water.
What contaminants are in ME17 water?
We tested 10 contaminants in ME17 water. None exceeded recommended safe levels.
Who supplies water in ME17?
ME17 (Maidstone) 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 ME17?
ME17 water scored 9.2/10 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 ME17 water?
No PFAS (forever chemicals) result is attached to the tap-water tests for ME17, 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 ME17?
The Environment Agency rated the Loose Stream 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 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 ME17, which is treated before it reaches homes.
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