Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is renowned around the world for its historic charm and its Fringe Performing Arts Festival. But it’s also famed for the exceptional quality of its tap water. So where exactly does this fresh, tasty water come from, and what makes it so good? Let’s look into its sources, treatment processes, and standards so we can really understand why residents and visitors enjoy it so much. 

Where does the water in Edinburgh come from?

Thanks to pretty high levels of rainfall across Scotland, everyone in Edinburgh (and the vast majority of everyone in Scotland) gets their tap water from groundwater supplies. That means rainwater seeps into the ground and forms pools deep underground where it naturally goes through a filtration process, taking out many of the contaminants and pollutants.

Above ground, rainwater and meltwater from the mountains and hills also flow into the region's streams and rivers while also filling the many natural reservoirs, particularly the Glencorse Reservoir, that are dotted across the stunning countryside. While the groundwater supplies are more naturally pure, both this and surface water go through a treatment process before coming out of your taps. 

Edinburgh water treatment

After the water is collected from these sources by Scottish Water, the rigorous treatment process makes sure it’s safe and clean for the general public to drink. This process begins with screening to remove large debris that could cause blockages, followed by adding chemicals to bind small pollutant particles together. These can then be easily removed through filtration.

The final stage of the treatment is disinfection, usually with chlorine, to kill any remaining bacteria or contaminants. The water is also adjusted for pH levels, so it’s neither too acidic nor too alkaline. The water also goes through regular testing and monitoring to maintain the highest quality standards.

Is the water in Edinburgh good?

Due to the lack of natural minerals like calcium and magnesium, Edinburgh water is classed as ‘soft’ while its quality is highly regarded for its freshness and purity. This is mainly due to how close the city is to clean, fresh natural water sources that are less exposed to industrial pollution. 

Also, Scotland’s strict water quality regulations, the advanced treatment processes used by Scottish Water, and the ongoing water quality monitoring done by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator For Scotland (DWQR) mean that every drop of tap water in Edinburgh meets or exceeds strict quality standards set by the UK government and the EU.

Get your water in Edinburgh from Thirsty Work

The quality of tap water in Edinburgh comes from a blend of natural advantages and strict water management practices. Whether you're a resident or just visiting, you know that the water in Edinburgh is braw! But it still might not be quite to your taste. After all, despite, or perhaps because of, its treatment processes, odd tastes and weird odours can still linger. 

Thirsty Work offers fast, local spring water delivery direct to your home or office in Edinburgh with a range of bottled water coolersthat use natural, pure-filtered spring water or mains-fed water coolers that have an advanced filtration system eliminating all impurities (including micro-plastics).

Call 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today and get your free quote, or start your no-obligation, 10-day free trial and get your home or office today set up with deliveries direct from Thirsty Work.