When it comes to drinking tap water in Glasgow, you might wonder how safe it is. There are many things to consider, including the presence of lead and fluoride. You should also keep in mind the taste, hardness, and odor.
Lead
There is a risk that drinking tap water in Glasgow may contain lead. Lead is a toxic element, which can cause hearing problems and impaired mental and physical development.
Scientists have found that lead exposure is highest among young children. Infants and pregnant women are at greatest risk. The only way to determine if lead is present in your drinking water is to have it tested. If it is detected, you should contact your health care provider. They can recommend the best course of action.
The Scottish Government has been slow to implement the new European drinking water standards. This has led to intolerable lead levels being exposed to the public. It is estimated that up to eight million households are at risk.
The Government has dragged its feet for ten years over the implementation of the current European lead level standards. A parliamentary inquiry has been set up to ask the government to reverse its inaction and comply with the new EU directive.
Fluoride
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland says that fluoride is not added to Scottish tap water. However, there are a number of areas where it is present. In Hartlepool, for example, there is 1.4 parts per million of fluoride in the water.
Fluoridation is a process of adding fluoride to the water supply in order to prevent dental decay. It is a beneficial public health intervention which is recognised and accepted by a wide range of reputable scientific and medical authorities.
The British Dental Association has long advocated the inclusion of fluoride in water supplies in Scotland. However, the issue has been roiled by an ambiguous judgment in Scottish courts.
A test case, brought by Catherine McColl, sought to restrain the Strathclyde Regional Council from fluoridating its water supplies. The petitioner argued that adding fluoride to the water supply was a violation of section 8 of the Medicines Act 1968, a breach of the Water Scotland Act and a nuisance.
Taste
The Scottish Tap Water Society (STWS) conducts tests of water. They have 23 tasters, who regularly test 15,000 samples of drinking water across Scotland.
The quality of tap water varies by region. Some areas of the country have hard water, while others have soft water. There are also different amounts of minerals present. This can be responsible for the difference in taste.
The UK has some of the cleanest tap water in the world. It is safe to drink and meets health regulations.
If you are looking for the best tasting tap water in the UK, try Severn Trent Water. You can also request a sample from your local mains water supplier.
Tap water in the United Kingdom may contain trace minerals. These are naturally occurring substances that add subtle flavours.
Chlorine
Chlorine is used in public tap water supplies to keep harmful bacteria at bay. However, high levels of the substance can cause some unpleasant side effects. Some people have reported headaches and dizziness after drinking chloraminated water.
To minimise the formation of disinfection by-products, companies in the United Kingdom must control the level of chlorine in their network. This is achieved through a management policy. The policy aims to ensure that the maximum level of residual disinfectant is deemed safe for use by all consumers.
Water companies are expected to use no more chlorine than is necessary to meet this target. However, there are times when it is necessary to raise the chlorine level in order to maintain the health of the public.
While chlorine may be a good disinfectant, it can also leave behind a slight odor. This is due to the fact that the chemical reacts with naturally occurring substances in water.
Hardness
Hardness of tap water in Glasgow depends on many factors. It is affected by both the type of rocks present in the area and the amount of minerals dissolved in the water.
Some of the hardest drinking water in the world is produced in Scotland. This is due to the high concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in the water. The water also contains more dissolved minerals than soft water.
In most parts of Scotland, the water supply comes from underground sources. These are harder to access than rivers. If you live in a hard water area, you might want to consider using a water softener. Salt-based water softeners are expensive and inefficient.
If you have a problem with the hardness of your tap water in Glasgow, you might want to contact Scottish Water. They are responsible for water supply and wastewater services in Glasgow.