UK legal limit: 20 µg/L. Find out what nickel is, its health effects, and how to check and reduce it in your tap water.
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Nickel in tap water almost always originates from plumbing fittings within buildings — particularly from nickel-plated taps, fittings, and valves. Nickel is used as a plating metal for its corrosion resistance and appearance, but it can leach into drinking water at low concentrations, particularly in first-draw water that has been in contact with fittings overnight. Modern UK regulations require that plumbing fittings meet standards that limit nickel leaching, but older fittings may not comply.
The UK legal limit for nickel in drinking water is 20 µg/L. This limit is based on a health-based assessment taking into account nickel's allergenic and potentially carcinogenic properties. UK compliance rates are very high — over 99.9% of samples from the distribution system pass the nickel standard. However, in-building monitoring can occasionally show elevated nickel from internal plumbing fittings, particularly in new or recently refurbished buildings where nickel-plated fittings are newly installed.
Nickel is a well-documented allergen — approximately 8–10% of the population has nickel sensitivity, usually manifesting as skin reactions from jewellery or metal contact. Whether nickel in drinking water triggers allergic skin reactions is less clear at typical concentrations. At higher doses, nickel is classified by IARC as a Group 1 carcinogen (nickel compounds), though this classification relates primarily to high-level occupational inhalation exposure, not dietary intake at tap water concentrations.
For the vast majority of people, nickel from tap water at UK concentrations is not a health concern. Nickel is an essential trace mineral in very small amounts — required for certain enzyme functions. The WHO guideline for nickel in drinking water is the same as the UK limit: 20 µg/L.
The most effective simple step is to run the tap for 30 seconds before drinking, particularly in the morning. This flushes out water that has been sitting in contact with fittings overnight. When replacing taps or fittings, choose products certified to BS EN 1287 or WRAS approved, which have limits on nickel leaching. For comprehensive removal, an under-sink reverse osmosis system will reduce nickel to negligible levels.
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Nickel in tap water almost always comes from plumbing fittings — nickel-plated taps, valves, and fittings — rather than from the water supply. Running the tap for 30 seconds before drinking removes first-draw water with higher nickel concentrations.
At UK tap water concentrations (typically below 5 µg/L), nickel is not a significant health risk for most people. The legal limit of 20 µg/L includes a safety margin. Nickel-sensitive individuals may want to use an RO filter as a precaution.
The UK legal limit for nickel in drinking water is 20 µg/L, in line with the WHO guideline.
Run the tap for 30–60 seconds before drinking, especially first thing in the morning. When replacing fittings, choose WRAS-approved products. For comprehensive removal, an under-sink RO filter will reduce nickel to negligible levels.
Reverse osmosis removes nickel effectively. Activated carbon block filters have some effectiveness. Standard jug filters have limited effectiveness for dissolved metals including nickel.
Whether dietary nickel from tap water triggers skin reactions in nickel-sensitive individuals is debated. Some research suggests oral nickel can trigger or worsen dermatitis in nickel-sensitive people, though evidence is mixed. If you have nickel sensitivity, a filtered water source may reduce concern.