The BBC has reported that six million people in the UK are supplied by drinking water sources where excessive PFAS contamination triggered enforcement notices from the Drinking Water Inspectorate. While water companies are required to act, this spotlight on ‘forever chemicals’ raises important questions for facilities managers, procurement teams, health and safety officers, and anyone responsible for drinking water in commercial environments.
So, what does this mean for your workplace or building? In this article, we explore the implications for businesses and suggest practical next steps for improving water quality and reducing risk.
What’s happened?
- The BBC revealed that more than 9,000 tests found PFAS levels above recommended limits
- 23 water supply areas are under enforcement notices
- At least 6 million people could be receiving water from affected sources
- Some PFAS have been linked by the World Health Organisation to increased risk of cancers
The reports sparked calls from environmental bodies and scientific organisations for stricter controls and faster investment in water treatment. In response, government agencies are reportedly preparing a white paper to address regulations.
What are PFAS and why do they matter?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals found in items like textiles, cookware, and packaging. They are durable and resistant to breakdown; hence the ‘forever chemicals’ label.
They access waterways through runoff, landfill leaching, industrial discharge, and firefighting foam. Once they enter the water cycle, they’re extremely difficult to remove using traditional drinking water treatment. Even small amounts may pose long-term health risks.
Implications for workplaces, schools, healthcare, and hospitality buildings
If your water comes from the public mains (as most buildings do), the BBC report confirms that contaminants like PFAS may be present upstream. While most public water still meets regulatory standards, there are three reasons proactive organisations should take note:
- Changing regulations: PFAS limits may tighten in the UK, as they have in the US and Europe
- Duty of care: Employee and customer expectations for safe, high-quality water are rising
- Building complexity: Older pipework or storage systems can degrade water quality further, even if incoming water meets standards
What can businesses and building managers do?
Here are four recommended steps to reduce risk and protect water quality on site:
01
Audit your current system
- Check system age and maintenance history
- Review whether point-of-use filters or UV treatment are already in place
02
Ask suppliers the right questions
- Does your current system filter PFAS?
- Can it handle future regulatory requirements?
03
Upgrade where needed
- Consider multi-stage filtration, activated carbon, ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis
- Point-of-use systems can help avoid full-scale infrastructure changes
04
Plan ongoing monitoring and support
- Water quality needs regular review
- Choose a service partner with UK-wide engineering capability and compliance expertise
How Culligan can help
From hospitals to corporate offices and hospitality spaces, we support organisations where health, trust, and sustainability matter.
Culligan provides:
Certified point-of-use drinking systems tailored to commercial environments
Advanced purification including PFAS reduction
Installation and maintenance by UK specialists
Support for compliance, testing, and water quality reporting
Next steps:
Safe and compliant drinking water is critical for your workforce and your brand. Culligan is ready to support.
To assess whether your workplace drinking water systems are PFAS-ready:
Book a consultation or site audit
Or speak to one of our technical experts
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