UK Tap Water Safety at Risk After Brexit-Linked Lab Closures
The UK faces a critical shortage of laboratories certified to test water treatment chemicals, hindering the ability of water companies to ensure safe drinking water. This lack of testing capacity, attributed to the closure of all three UK-based labs since 2021, stems from post-Brexit regulations prohibiting the use of foreign testing facilities. The resulting inability to approve new or recertify existing products compromises water safety and potentially increases costs for consumers. While regulators claim no immediate risk to consumers, industry experts express concern over reduced competition and the halting of product innovation. The absence of plans for new laboratories underscores the urgency of addressing this growing issue.
John Q. Hosedrinker