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United Kingdom: Water

Safe water matters especially with lowered immunity. This chapter explains how to use drinking water safely in the United Kingdom.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, a crystal-clear glass of water.
Figure 1.Safe water matters especially.

01Short answer

In the United Kingdom tap water is tested against strict national standards and is usually safe to drink. Even so, some transplant centres give special rules to patients with very weak immunity, so ask your own team. Do not drink private well water unless it has been tested and boiled.

02Simple explanation

Know your source: tap, bottle, well.

If in doubt, boil for 1 minute.

Ice and water for teeth must be safe too.

03Scientific explanation

Boiling: according to the CDC, 1 minute at a rolling boil (3 minutes at high altitude) kills disease-causing germs.

General risk: according to the WHO, contaminated water is a major source of diarrhoea and other infections.

04What happens in the body?

Which water?

Tap water is usually fine; use it unless your team says otherwise. Run the tap briefly before filling, and do not keep opened bottles for long.

On a dark navy background, a tap and a sealed bottle side by side.
Figure 3.Know your water source.

When to boil

When your team advises it, when a local boil-water notice applies, or when you are unsure of the source: 1 minute at a rolling boil, cool, store covered, use within 24 hours.

On a dark navy background, a boiling kettle and a covered jug.
Figure 2.When needed, boil and store covered.

Filters and coolers

Home filters improve taste, but not all remove germs; change cartridges on time. Keep water-cooler taps clean.

05Safe water in four steps

From source to glass.

Source — Tap, bottle or boiled.1SourceTap, bottle or boiled.
Boil — 1 minute when needed.2Boil1 minute when needed.
Store — In a clean covered container.3StoreIn a clean covered container.
Drink — From a clean glass.4DrinkFrom a clean glass.
ProtectionLower risk of water-borne infection.
Peace of mindThe family knows the rule.
FluidsYou drink enough.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Which water?Tap water is usually fine; use it unless your team says otherwise. Run the tap briefly before filling, and do not keep opened bottles for long.
When to boilWhen your team advises it, when a local boil-water notice applies, or when you are unsure of the source: 1 minute at a rolling boil, cool, store covered, use within 24 hours.
Filters and coolersHome filters improve taste, but not all remove germs; change cartridges on time. Keep water-cooler taps clean.

07Key terms

Rolling boil
A boil with continuous large bubbles.
Sealed bottle
An unopened bottle.
Water filter
A household water-cleaning device.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Know your source.
  • If in doubt, boil.
  • Ice must be safe too.
  • Filters do not remove everything.
  • Ask your team about tap water.

09Frequently asked questions

Is mineral water okay?

Sealed mineral water is usually fine; ask your doctor about salt and minerals.

Isn’t spring water clean?

Even clear water can carry germs.

Can I shower?

Yes; do not swallow the water. With a line, ask your team how to protect it.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is mineral water okay?

  2. Isn’t spring water clean?

  3. Can I shower?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Drinking-water — fact sheet
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  4. Drinking Water Inspectorate. Official website
  5. New Hospitals (Tbilisi). Center of Oncohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation
  6. National Research Oncology Center (Astana). Center of Oncohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation (in Russian)
  7. Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery (Almaty). Bone marrow transplantation department (in Russian)
  8. Kazakhstanskaya Pravda. A chance to be saved: bone marrow transplantation in Kazakhstan, 2023 (in Russian)
  9. News.com.kg. The first bone marrow transplant in Kyrgyzstan was successfully completed, 2024 (in Russian)
  10. Tajik State Medical University. Autologous bone marrow transplantation for adult patients, 2026 (in Russian)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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