A worker has sounded a serious alert regarding the UK’s drinking water, advising people to rethink their use of tap water.

Currently engaged in replacing an aging cast iron water supply line at a construction site, TikTok personality The Ground Worker unveiled a concerning reality about the condition of many water pipes. In a revealing video, he warned viewers, “Do not drink water from your tap,” before exposing the inside of a recently removed pipe, which was clogged with corrosion and sludge.

“That pipe was in use not that long ago,” The Ground Worker remarked, emphasizing the importance of having a filtration system in homes. “I firmly believe in filtration systems—trust me, I’ve seen many pipes in this condition, and it’s not good for you. Invest in a filter system for your tap,” he advised.

The response from TikTok users was immediate and vocal. One user expressed shock, stating, “I’m paying 92 pounds every month for that.” Another shared their own practice, “The best decision I ever made was to buy a water distiller, never drink straight from the tap.”

Another commenter echoed similar sentiments, “I haven’t touched tap water in six years, I drink distilled water, and it’s so much better. I highly recommend buying a distiller.” Meanwhile, a fourth TikTok user, who works for a water filter company, added, “The amount of stuff that gets clogged in the filters in the London area is unbelievable.”

A third concurred: “Not touched tap water in six years, drank distilled water and is soo much better, highly recommend buying a distiller.” Whilst a fourth TikTok user shed additional light on the issue, stating: “I work in a water filter company and the amount of s*** that gets clogged in the filter in London area is mental.”

According to a Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report from July 2023, however, British tap water supplies rank amongst the finest globally. In fact, overall adherence to standards for English public water supplies stands at 99.97%.

Nevertheless, the DWI has warned those with lead pipes, noting: “Lead from pipework can dissolve into the water whilst it stands in the pipe. Therefore, if you have lead pipework, the chances are there will be some lead in your drinking water.”

It adds: “The concentration of lead may depend on the following:

• How long the water has been standing in the pipe
• The condition of the lead pipework
• The temperature of the water; more lead will dissolve during the summer and autumn months
• Water hardness; harder water tends to form a protective scale over the surface of the pipe which can reduce the concentration of lead in the water.”

The DWI also observes: “Where a risk of lead exists, water companies treat the water with orthophosphate to reduce the problem significantly. Nonetheless, particles of lead may build up in these older pipes and intermittently appear in tap water.”