ST7 tap water: what's in it?
Severn Trent Water: at least 40 tests failed UK drinking-water standards in 2025 (DWI, company-wide).
Some published DWI figures don't reconcile or identify a company, so we've left them out; the true number may be higher. England overall: 99.97% of tests met standards.
ST7 tap water quality report · 2026
Hardness
Soft
Alsager (supply zone) · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 25 samples
Details
Alsager (supply zone) · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 25 samples
Hosepipe ban
Not available
We can't confirm the hosepipe-ban status for Severn Trent Water from the information we hold.
Details
We can't confirm the hosepipe-ban status for Severn Trent Water from the information we hold.
Storm overflows
102 overflows within 10 km of ST7 centre
1,694 spills in 2025
Details
1,694 spills in 2025
Lead pipes
65% built before 1973
Estimate, not a test. Homes in the parts of ST7 we can match to council-tax records (100% of its postcodes) whose build period is known; the share with no recorded build period isn't published for these areas. Allowing for suppressed counts: 63–65%. England and Wales: 61% (2026).
Details
Estimate, not a test. Homes in the parts of ST7 we can match to council-tax records (100% of its postcodes) whose build period is known; the share with no recorded build period isn't published for these areas. Allowing for suppressed counts: 63–65%. England and Wales: 61% (2026).
Who supplies water in ST7
Supplies 727 of 1,356 postcodes (54%)
Sewerage: Usually Severn Trent Water — they provide water and sewerage across most of their area. Your water bill confirms yours.
Supplies 614 of 1,356 postcodes (45%)
Sewerage: Usually United Utilities — they provide water and sewerage across most of their area. Your water bill confirms yours.
Boundary or unplaced: 15 postcodes
Drinking-water test record
Severn Trent Water: 727 of 1,356 postcodes
Severn Trent Water
Severn Trent Water, company-wide
- Regulator
- DWI
- Report year
- 2025
- Failed tests
- Not shown
- Tests
- 452,303
The regulator's published total and its company rows disagree, so we don't show a count.
| Parameter | Failed tests |
|---|---|
| Benzo[a]Pyrene (total) | Failed tests: 1 |
| E. coli (confirmed) | Failed tests: 3 |
| Iron | Failed tests: 15 |
| Lead | Failed tests: 4 |
| Manganese | Failed tests: 2 |
| Nickel | Failed tests: 6 |
| Total coliforms (confirmed) | Failed tests: 8 |
| Turbidity – indicator | Failed tests: 1 |
Source: DWI england 2025, Annex B — dated 6 July 2026, read 13 October 2026
Source: DWI england 2025, Annex A — dated 6 July 2026, read 13 October 2026
England: 99.97% of tests met standards in 2025 (DWI).
Source: DWI england 2025, national compliance — dated 6 July 2026, read 13 October 2026
United Utilities: 614 of 1,356 postcodes
United Utilities
United Utilities, company-wide
- Regulator
- DWI
- Report year
- 2025
- Failed tests
- Not shown
- Tests
- 385,673
The regulator's published total and its company rows disagree, so we don't show a count.
| Parameter | Failed tests |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | Failed tests: 5 |
| E. coli (confirmed) | Failed tests: 4 |
| Iron | Failed tests: 18 |
| Lead | Failed tests: 7 |
| Manganese | Failed tests: 7 |
| Nickel | Failed tests: 3 |
| Total coliforms (confirmed) | Failed tests: 13 |
Source: DWI england 2025, Annex B — dated 6 July 2026, read 13 October 2026
Source: DWI england 2025, Annex A — dated 6 July 2026, read 13 October 2026
England: 99.97% of tests met standards in 2025 (DWI).
Source: DWI england 2025, national compliance — dated 6 July 2026, read 13 October 2026
How hard is the water in ST7?
Across ST7's supply zones, hardness ranges from 45 mg/l (soft) to 197 mg/l (moderately hard). Those 6 zones cover 97% of its postcodes.
6 identified supply zones in ST7
Alsager · United Utilities (455 of 1,356 postcodes)
95 mg/l · 6.7 °Clark · 5.3 °dH · 9.5 °fH
Zone average of 25 samples.
Alsager (supply zone) · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 25 samples
Source: United Utilities — dated 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026, read 30 September 2026
Alsagers Bank · Severn Trent Water (282 of 1,356 postcodes)
197 mg/l · 13.8 °Clark · 11.0 °dH · 19.7 °fH
Typical value.
Alsagers Bank (supply zone) · 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
Source: Severn Trent Water — dated 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026, read 1 October 2026
Kidsgrove · Severn Trent Water (257 of 1,356 postcodes)
139 mg/l · 9.8 °Clark · 7.8 °dH · 13.9 °fH
Typical value.
Kidsgrove (supply zone) · 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
Source: Severn Trent Water — dated 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026, read 30 September 2026
Biddulph Moor · Severn Trent Water (169 of 1,356 postcodes)
120 mg/l · 8.4 °Clark · 6.7 °dH · 12.0 °fH
Typical value.
Biddulph Moor (supply zone) · 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
Source: Severn Trent Water — dated 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026, read 30 September 2026
Congleton Mow Cop · United Utilities (152 of 1,356 postcodes)
45 mg/l · 3.2 °Clark · 2.5 °dH · 4.5 °fH
Zone average of 13 samples.
Congleton Mow Cop (supply zone) · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 13 samples
Source: United Utilities — dated 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026, read 30 September 2026
Roe Park And Mow Cop · United Utilities (1 of 1,356 postcodes)
104 mg/l · 7.3 °Clark · 5.8 °dH · 10.4 °fH
Zone average of 2 samples.
Roe Park And Mow Cop (supply zone) · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 2 samples
Source: United Utilities — dated 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026, read 30 September 2026
25 postcodes without an identified supply zone
Severn Trent Water (19 of 1,356 postcodes)
We do not have a verified hardness figure for this area. Ask your water company for its water quality report.
United Utilities (6 of 1,356 postcodes)
We do not have a verified hardness figure for this area. Ask your water company for its water quality report.
Storm overflows nearby
102 overflows within 10 km of ST7 centre · 1,694 spills in 2025
ST7 (district) · 2025
Source: Environment Agency EDM annual return 2025 — dated 20 August 2026, read 13 October 2026
Overflows here are run by Severn Trent Water and United Utilities.
99 of these were monitored for only part of 2025.
Nearest 5 shown
KIDSGROVE WWTW
Into KIDSGROVE STREAM WHEELOCK · 0.9 km from the centre of ST7
27 spills · 274.4 hours · Monitored 99.9% of 2025
LIVERPOOL RD CSO
Into KIDSGROVE STREAM · 1.1 km from the centre of ST7
12 spills · 126.4 hours · Monitored 91% of 2025
58/64 AUDLEY ROAD CSO
Into VALLEY BROOK · 2.1 km from the centre of ST7
23 spills · 21.3 hours · Monitored 100% of 2025
AUDLEY RD/TALKE RD JUNCTION CSO
Into TRIB VALLEY BROOK VIA SWS · 2.2 km from the centre of ST7
2 spills · 0.8 hours · Monitored 42.8% of 2025
TBC
Into Culverted section of Valley Brook via surface water sewer · 2.2 km from the centre of ST7
0 spills · 0 hours · Monitored 100% of 2025
Annual 2025 figures from monitored overflows. Not live, and not a bathing-water or tap-water verdict.
- 57 England outfalls in the 2025 return had no usable location and aren't counted.
- Northern Ireland isn't covered: No licensed annual per-outfall source in the approved source list; BT postcode coordinates require an LPS licence.
Older homes and lead pipes
65% built before 1973
65% of homes here were built before 1973 — estimate, not a test.
Homes in the parts of ST7 we can match to council-tax records (100% of its postcodes) whose build period is known; the share with no recorded build period isn't published for these areas. Allowing for suppressed counts: 63–65%. England and Wales: 61% (2026).
Older homes are more likely to have lead pipes. Only a test tells you whether yours does.
ST7 (district) · 2026
Source: Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax: stock of properties — dated 31 March 2026, read 24 September 2026
Fluoride
We cannot confirm whether this area is part of a water fluoridation scheme. Ask your water supplier using your postcode.
Around one in ten people in England receive drinking water supplied by a fluoridation scheme.
England · 2026 health monitoring report
Source: UKHSA and DHSC — dated 30 March 2026, read 13 October 2026
Hosepipe bans
What you can do
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links go to amazon.com; Amazon's Earn Globally service can localise them to amazon.co.uk. Check the model and UK delivery before buying.
Water filter jugs
LifeStraw
LSH7GLSPK21
Performance certification:
Certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI 42 for Aesthetic Chlorine and Taste and Odor; Certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI 53 for Lead and Mercury; Certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI 401 for Microplastics (a US/international standard; it is not UK approval)
View Detailsreduces chlorine taste and odour in drinking water.
A UK retailer lists this model. Amazon UK stock and delivery are unverified; this Amazon link may not ship to the UK. Check the exact model and UK delivery before you pay.
UK availability evidence checked 14 October 2026.
Shower filters
Weddell Water
WD-100BL
Performance certification:
Certified by NSF to NSF/ANSI 177 for Free Available Chlorine Reduction (a US/international standard; it is not UK approval)
View Detailsreduces chlorine in shower water; does not soften water.
A UK retailer lists this model. Amazon UK stock and delivery are unverified; this Amazon link may not ship to the UK. Check the exact model and UK delivery before you pay.
Check it fits your shower fitting before buying; a US fitting may need an adaptor.
UK availability evidence checked 14 October 2026.
We haven't verified a lead test kit for UK buyers yet.
What a pick has to pass:
- A lead result reported by a laboratory accredited for that test (UKAS, ISO/IEC 17025), named on the kit's listing
- UK availability evidenced by Amazon UK, the manufacturer or a UK retailer, checked in the last 90 days
Start with your water company: if you think you have lead pipes, you can ask it to test the water at your kitchen tap. Which water test you need
Common water problems
How much does a water softener cost in the UK?
Water softener cost UK 2026: price by home size
Why is my tap water cloudy or white?
Why is my tap water cloudy or white? (UK)
Brown tap water: causes and what to do (UK)
Why does my tap water taste metallic?
Tap water tastes metallic? Causes and fixes (UK)
Questions about tap water in ST7
- Is the water in ST7 hard or soft?
- United Utilities: soft, 95 mg/l, 6.7 °Clark, 5.3 °dH, 9.5 °fH (Alsager (supply zone), 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 25 samples). Zone average of 25 samples. Severn Trent Water: moderately hard, 197 mg/l, 13.8 °Clark, 11.0 °dH, 19.7 °fH (Alsagers Bank (supply zone), 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026). Typical value. Severn Trent Water: slightly hard, 139 mg/l, 9.8 °Clark, 7.8 °dH, 13.9 °fH (Kidsgrove (supply zone), 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026). Typical value. Severn Trent Water: slightly hard, 120 mg/l, 8.4 °Clark, 6.7 °dH, 12.0 °fH (Biddulph Moor (supply zone), 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026). Typical value. United Utilities: soft, 45 mg/l, 3.2 °Clark, 2.5 °dH, 4.5 °fH (Congleton Mow Cop (supply zone), 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 13 samples). Zone average of 13 samples. Severn Trent Water: We do not have a verified hardness figure for this area. Ask your water company for its water quality report. United Utilities: We do not have a verified hardness figure for this area. Ask your water company for its water quality report. United Utilities: slightly hard, 104 mg/l, 7.3 °Clark, 5.8 °dH, 10.4 °fH (Roe Park And Mow Cop (supply zone), 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 2 samples). Zone average of 2 samples.
- What does the drinking water regulator's record show for ST7?
- Severn Trent Water: at least 40 tests failed UK drinking-water standards in 2025 (DWI, company-wide). Some published DWI figures don't reconcile or identify a company, so we've left them out; the true number may be higher. England overall: 99.97% of tests met standards.
- Could homes in ST7 have lead pipes?
- 65% of homes here were built before 1973 — estimate, not a test. Homes in the parts of ST7 we can match to council-tax records (100% of its postcodes) whose build period is known; the share with no recorded build period isn't published for these areas. Allowing for suppressed counts: 63–65%. England and Wales: 61% (2026). Older homes are more likely to have lead pipes. Only a test tells you whether yours does.
- Is the water in ST7 fluoridated?
- We cannot confirm whether this area is part of a water fluoridation scheme. Ask your water supplier using your postcode. Around one in ten people in England receive drinking water supplied by a fluoridation scheme.
Sources and method
- Water Company Boundaries (UC2) ↗ · 19 September 2026 · read 20 September 2026
- Severn Trent Water contact page ↗ · 13 October 2026 · read 13 October 2026
- United Utilities contact page ↗ · 13 October 2026 · read 13 October 2026
- DWI england 2025, Annex B ↗ · 2025 · read 13 October 2026
- DWI england 2025, national compliance ↗ · 2025 · read 13 October 2026
- United Utilities ↗ · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 25 samples · read 30 September 2026
- Severn Trent Water ↗ · 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 · read 1 October 2026
- United Utilities ↗ · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 13 samples · read 30 September 2026
- United Utilities ↗ · 12-month average, updated 25 September 2026; 2 samples · read 30 September 2026
- Environment Agency EDM annual return 2025 ↗ · 2025 · read 13 October 2026
- Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax: stock of properties ↗ · 2026 · read 24 September 2026
- UKHSA and DHSC ↗ · 2026 health monitoring report · read 13 October 2026
Severn Trent Water contact page, United Utilities contact page, United Utilities, Severn Trent Water, Severn Trent Water, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities, United Utilities: Database right, used under the publisher's terms.
Water company boundaries © Water UK, licensed under CC BY 4.0Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Data generation uk-2026-10-16-derive6