Since 2021, there have been 362 instances in which water in England and Wales was flagged as unfit for human consumption. Despite this, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has brought only three prosecutions against water companies: Southern Water and South West Water in 2022, and Wessex Water in 2023. The DWI can issue legal instruments requiring companies to address water quality issues, but only a small fraction have resulted in prosecutions.

Thames Water, one of the companies involved, received a caution in 2023 for water safety issues. Recent incidents include unsafe water in Brixham, Devon, due to a cryptosporidium outbreak, Wessex Water were also prosecuted for supplying water unfit for human consumption due to its appearance and taste. Water concerns in Beckenham, prompted Thames Water to test the supply.

Residents in Brixham, Devon, have been urged by South West Water to boil their tap water following an outbreak of the highly infectious virus cryptosporidium, with 22 confirmed cases and more expected. The waterborne illness, causing diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains, and fever, can spread through contaminated water, as well as human and animal contact. Symptoms can last up to three weeks, with most healthy individuals recovering, though severe cases require medical attention.

The water company detected traces of the organism in its network and is working with the UK Health Security Agency to address the issue. Bottled water stations will be set up, and people have been advised to boil and cool water before use. Symptoms of the waterborne disease are most common in young children, and affected individuals are advised to stay off school, work, and away from swimming pools to prevent further spread.

Many residents are concerned after suffering symptoms, and the UKHSA has issued guidance for those experiencing severe effects. Despite the company's reassurances, the situation has raised alarms in the community about the severity and risks of unsafe water.

The US has imposed its first nationwide limits on harmful PFAS chemicals in tap water, which are linked to serious health issues such as cancer, reproductive problems, thyroid disease, decreased immune function, and asthma. PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are persistent in the environment due to their resistance to degradation. They are found in everyday products like cookware and firefighting foams, and research suggests millions of Americans are exposed to contaminated drinking water.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule requiring local governments to monitor and remove six versions of PFAS from water systems. The EPA warns that almost no level of PFAS exposure is safe. While larger cities may handle the changes, smaller towns may struggle with the high costs of implementing new treatment systems. The US government has allocated billions of dollars through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to assist communities in addressing these water safety concerns.

London’s tap water has been found to contain harmful "forever" chemicals, specifically PFOA and PFOS, which pose serious health risks. Samples from Harrow, Heathrow, and Battersea revealed contamination levels exceeding safety limits, with PFOS in Harrow reaching 1.4 times the Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) proposed limit. These chemicals are linked to cancer, liver damage, reduced fertility, and birth defects. In all samples, PFAS levels surpassed Sweden’s safety limits by 550%.

Experts, including Bluewater’s Dr. Ahmed Fawzy, raised concerns about the health risks, urging tighter regulations. Currently, Britain’s PFAS thresholds are seen as outdated and lenient compared to the US and EU. PFAS, found in products like non-stick pans and cosmetics, persist in the environment and are difficult to remove from water, although filtration technology exists. The RSC has called for stricter standards to protect public health, stressing that current levels pose a significant risk.