PFAS in UK drinking water

THE HIDDEN THREAT AND HOW WYCOMBE WATER IS LEADING THE SOLUTION

The recent discovery of widespread PFAS contamination in UK water sources has sent shockwaves through the water treatment industry. As specialists in water treatment and purification, Wycombe Water is at the forefront of addressing this critical challenge, providing cutting-edge solutions to protect public health and ensure the highest standards of water quality.

What are PFAS and why should you be concerned?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” represent one of the most significant water contamination challenges of our time. These synthetic chemicals have been used since the 1940s in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams, but their persistence in the environment has created a legacy pollution problem that demands immediate attention.

The key properties that make PFAS so concerning include:

• Persistence: They don’t break down naturally and can last thousands of years in the environment
• Bioaccumulation: They build up in human and animal bodies over time
• Mobility: They travel easily through water systems, spreading contamination far from original sources
• Toxicity: Some PFAS have been linked to serious health effects including cancer, liver damage, and immune system problems

The scale of PFAS contamination in UK waters

The full extent of PFAS contamination in UK water sources has only recently come to light, painting a concerning picture of widespread pollution that spans decades of industrial use. What began as targeted monitoring for specific “forever chemicals” has evolved into a comprehensive understanding of just how pervasive these persistent pollutants have become in our water infrastructure.

A legacy of industrial use

PFAS contamination in the UK stems from decades of widespread industrial and commercial use. These chemicals have been integral to manufacturing processes, firefighting operations at airports and military installations, and countless consumer products. The result is a complex contamination pattern that reflects both historical discharge points and the remarkable mobility of PFAS through water systems.

The Environment Agency’s monitoring programmes between 2014 and 2019 marked the beginning of systematic PFAS detection efforts in England. What started as semi-quantitative screening for 16 PFAS substances across thousands of samples quickly revealed the scope of the challenge. The monitoring covered both groundwater and surface water sources, including fresh, estuarine, and coastal waters, providing the first comprehensive picture of contamination patterns.

The Environment Agency’s fully quantitative monitoring programme, focused on the two most widely studied and historically used PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The agency examined approximately 470 freshwater sites and 55 estuarine and coastal locations across England between 2016 and 2019. The results were sobering: detectable levels of PFOS were found at over 99% of surface water sites sampled, while PFOA was detected at over 99% of freshwater sites and over 96% of estuarine and coastal sites.

This widespread presence reflects both the persistence of these chemicals and their remarkable ability to travel through water systems. Mean measured concentrations of PFOS in fresh surface waters ranged from below minimum reporting values up to 0.61 µg/L, while PFOA concentrations reached up to 0.073 µg/L. The geographical distribution shows significant spatial variation, with certain regions experiencing notably higher contamination levels.

Regional hotspots and contamination patterns

The contamination is not uniformly distributed across the UK. Certain areas have emerged as particular hotspots, often corresponding to historical industrial activity, military installations, and urban centres. The data reveals concerning concentration patterns that reflect decades of PFAS use and discharge.

Research from York University has shown that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a specific type of PFAS, was found in 98% of locations across 32 rivers in the UK, highlighting how pervasive these chemicals have become in our natural water systems. This widespread presence in river systems is particularly concerning as these often serve as sources for drinking water treatment plants.

Key findings from UK water testing:

• 11,853 samples tested positive for PFAS across England’s water companies
• PFOS was found at 18 times the tier 3 limit (100ng/L) in some raw water sources
• Affinity Water showed the biggest contamination, with 73 raw water samples above maximum limits at five sites
• Anglian Water followed with 22 raw samples above limits from two groundwater sources
• Southern Water found two samples at or above the top limit in treated water
• 98% of locations across 32 UK rivers contained trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a type of PFAS

Understanding the data through international context

The Forever Pollution Project data, representing one of the largest quantified EU-wide PFAS datasets, provides crucial context for understanding UK contamination levels. Analysis of approximately 1,700 UK samples reveals a distribution pattern that, while concerning, also provides a roadmap for targeted remediation efforts.

The data shows that while significant contamination exists, much of it falls within ranges that can be effectively addressed with current treatment technologies:

• 63% of PFOS samples were below 10 ng/L
• 65% of PFOA samples were below 10 ng/L
• 89% of total PFAS samples were between 10-100 ng/L (medium risk category)
• 11% exceeded 100 ng/L, requiring immediate remediation action

The monitoring challenge

One of the most significant challenges in understanding the full scope of PFAS contamination is the limitation of current monitoring approaches. The Environment Agency’s programme, while comprehensive, could only test for a fraction of the estimated 10,000+ PFAS compounds in existence. Of the 47 PFAS substances that the Drinking Water Inspectorate requires monitoring for, only 34 can currently be analysed using existing validated methods.

This monitoring gap means that the true extent of PFAS contamination may be significantly underestimated. The semi-quantitative monitoring programme revealed that eight freshwater and seven groundwater PFAS substances were detected in less than 2% of samples, suggesting that contamination patterns vary significantly depending on local sources and historical usage patterns.

The treatment response challenge

Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that high PFAS concentrations have historically made it into public water supplies before treatment systems were specifically designed to address these contaminants. The Drinking Water Inspectorate notes that while contaminated water is now blended with other sources to bring levels down, there has been a significant lag between PFAS production and the water sector being required to test for them.

This means that some consumers have likely been exposed to elevated PFAS levels through their tap water, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive treatment solutions like those provided by Wycombe Water’s advanced filtration systems.

Understanding the health implications

The health risks associated with PFAS exposure are particularly concerning given their bioaccumulative nature. Research has established links between PFAS exposure and:

• Cancer and liver damage
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Immune system suppression
• Reproductive and developmental issues
• Cardiovascular problems

What makes this especially troubling is that very low exposure levels can be harmful. Safe reference doses established by authoritative bodies are typically in the range of just 0.67 to 3 ng/kg/day, highlighting the need for highly effective water treatment solutions.

Wycombe Water’s expert approach to PFAS remediation

As recognised and reliable manufacturers and distributors for professional B2B partners in the water treatment industry, Wycombe Water has invested heavily in understanding PFAS contamination and developing effective treatment strategies. Our partnership with leading technology providers ensures we can offer the most advanced solutions available.

Our PFAS treatment solutions

Pentair FloPlus Protect 20BB System

Working closely with Pentair, we provide the industry-leading FloPlus Protect 20BB filtration system, specifically engineered to combat PFAS contamination:

The science behind effective PFAS removal

PFAS removal requires sophisticated understanding of water chemistry and advanced filtration technologies. The challenge lies in the fact that conventional water treatment processes like coagulation and disinfection are largely ineffective against these persistent chemicals, achieving removal rates of only 0-5%.

Why standard treatment fails:

The unique chemical structure of PFAS, particularly the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond, makes them highly resistant to conventional breakdown processes. This is why specialised treatment approaches are essential.

Proven removal technologies:

Why choose Wycombe Water for PFAS solutions

Proven expertise

With decades of experience in water treatment, we understand the complexities of PFAS contamination and the most effective approaches to remediation.

Cutting-edge technology

Our partnerships with industry leaders like Pentair and UVO3 ensure access to the most advanced treatment technologies available.

Regulatory compliance

All our systems meet and exceed current UK regulatory requirements, with many exceeding international standards for PFAS removal.

B2B focus

We work directly with OEMs, plant assemblers, and service providers to deliver customised solutions that meet specific operational requirements.

Looking to the future: Stricter standards and better protection

The regulatory landscape around PFAS is evolving rapidly. The Royal Society of Chemistry is advocating for:

• Tenfold reduction in acceptable PFAS limits (from 100ng/L to 10ng/L)
• Enhanced monitoring requirements across water systems
• Broader testing for additional PFAS compounds beyond the current 47 monitored substances

Wycombe Water is already preparing for these stricter standards, ensuring our clients stay ahead of regulatory requirements.

Taking action: next steps for water system operators

If you’re responsible for water quality in commercial, industrial, or municipal applications, the time to act is now:

Connect with the experts

The PFAS challenge requires expert knowledge, proven technology, and reliable partnership. At Wycombe Water, we’re committed to providing the most effective solutions for protecting water quality and public health.

Ready to address PFAS in your water systems?

Contact our team of specialists to discuss your specific requirements and learn how our partnership with Pentair can deliver the PFAS protection you need.

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Wycombe Water specialises in WRAS approved commercial and industrial water treatment solutions, working with professional B2B partners to deliver customised systems that meet the highest standards for quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

Sources:

– Royal Society of Chemistry Evidence Report: “PFAS in UK waters – presence, detection, and remediation” (November 2023): https://www.rsc.org/policy-and-campaigning/environmental-sustainability/cleaning-up-uk-drinking-water

– The Guardian Investigation: “Forever chemicals found in drinking water sources across England” (November 2023) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/28/forever-chemicals-found-in-drinking-water-sources-across-england

– Drinking Water Inspectorate Report 2022: https://www.dwi.gov.uk/what-we-do/annual-report/drinking-water-2022

York University: https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2025/research/forever-chemicals-river/

Pollet Water Group: https://www.pwg.be/pfas-treatment.html