186
submitted 1 week ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

Summary

The UK’s tap water safety is at risk due to the closure of all domestic laboratories certified to test water treatment products under EU-derived Regulation 31.

Without certified labs, new products cannot be approved, and existing ones requiring retesting are becoming non-compliant.

Industry insiders blame Brexit, as EU countries will share lab capacity starting in 2026, while UK rules prohibit foreign testing.

This has created a backlog of products, limited market competition, and raised costs. While officials claim water remains safe, experts warn of delays in adopting innovative treatments.

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[-] Worx@lemmynsfw.com 34 points 1 week ago

I don't give a fuck, because at least we can now control our passport colour. That's worth any amount of risk

[-] towerful@programming.dev 18 points 1 week ago

Scottish tap water is a public/government company.
They do a good job.
Unfortunately, climate change is impacting the level of reservoirs & water ways (ie, going down), and Scottish people use more water than English people (like 30% more, a substantial amount).
Hopefully Scottish water continues to be great, and continue to get the funding they need to do a good job

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

You need lots of water to make all that Irn Bru.

[-] towerful@programming.dev 3 points 1 week ago

Rusting them girders has become harder since they painted the forth rail bridge with that anti-rust coating!

[-] FlorisJan@kbin.melroy.org 1 points 1 week ago

Any idea why there's that 30% difference? Just a guess but could it be that in Glasgow water's free?

[-] towerful@programming.dev 1 points 1 week ago

Not just in Glasgow. Water is a flat rate covered by council tax across all of Scotland.
It's likely because we don't pay for units used, and awareness of water conservation hasn't happened/stuck.

[-] FlorisJan@kbin.melroy.org 2 points 1 week ago

That's what I was thinking. Well there's always been plenty of water in Scotland afaik but if that's going to change they're probably going to start charging for it

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Jeez that’s just sad on top of pathetic.

[-] tehWrapper@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Brexit the gift that keeps giving..

[-] Teknikal@eviltoast.org 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I'd say the stuff in Belfast tastes pretty terrible and I wouldn't drink it, when I was a kid though it was better than now. I'm honestly not sure I'd risk my tap water even if I bought a filter.

[-] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

Blaming the loss of domestic industry on brexit is just wrong. Not having a domestic lab is still bad without brexit, it's just not headline worthy.

this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2024
186 points (98.9% liked)

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