Imagine discovering that the water you drink, the very source of life, is tainted with a silent, deadly poison. This is the chilling reality for residents in Cumbria and Lancashire, where a shocking investigation has uncovered a web of toxic pollution hotspots. But here's where it gets even more alarming: the culprit is a banned, cancer-causing chemical known as Pfos, part of the notorious 'forever chemicals' family, or Pfas. These substances, infamous for their persistence in the environment, have been detected in alarming concentrations across 25 sites, contaminating rivers and groundwater in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The revelation came to light through a collaborative effort by Watershed Investigations and the Guardian, following a freedom of information request. Environment Agency samples from January 2025 exposed dangerously high levels of Pfos, a chemical so resilient it can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to degrade. These substances, commonly found in everyday products, have been linked to a host of severe health issues, making their presence in drinking water a grave concern.
At one site, groundwater tested a staggering 3,840ng/l of Pfos, far exceeding the drinking water guideline limit of 100ng/l for the combined total of 48 Pfas compounds. And this is the part most people miss: the contamination isn’t isolated; it spans protected wildlife habitats, raising questions about the long-term impact on ecosystems and human health.
One resident, whose business relies on a private well, shared a harrowing account. They were ‘unofficially’ informed of the contamination in November 2021 by an Environment Agency insider and immediately stopped using the water. Despite decades of testing due to concerns about ‘chemical drift,’ the resident was met with indifference. ‘When I contacted the agency, they offered no help,’ they said, adding that the local council was equally unhelpful. ‘They said they wished I had not been told, as they could not even test for Pfas… there was no help, no advice, no support of any kind.’
Here’s where it gets controversial: While the Environment Agency identified the issue in 2022 and alerted the borehole owner, they shifted responsibility to local authorities, who seem ill-equipped to handle the crisis. The council claims to have supported the business by switching to mains water, but the resident remains frustrated. ‘Nearly five years later, I am still no wiser,’ they lamented.
Possible sources of contamination include a paper mill in Beetham, where Pfas were historically used, and sites where contaminated paper pulp may have been spread on land. The mill’s operator has since changed hands, with the new entity, Pelta Medical Papers, denying current use of Pfas. However, the legacy of past operations lingers, raising questions about accountability.
The Environment Agency’s report also points to historical landfills, sewage treatment works, fire stations, and caravan park discharges as potential sources. Meanwhile, the government’s new Pfas action plan, released this week, has been criticized as inadequate. Water UK calls for a complete ban on Pfas, warning that the UK risks falling behind Europe, where stricter measures are being implemented.
Chloe Alexander from Wildlife and Countryside Link labeled the plan ‘a roadmap to nowhere,’ citing its lack of binding phaseouts and clear timelines. With 33,000 private water supplies in England increasingly vulnerable to pollution and climate change, the need for urgent action is undeniable.
But here’s the real question: Are we doing enough to protect our water, our health, and our planet from these persistent toxins? Hannah Evans from the environmental charity Fidra puts it bluntly: ‘Persistent chemicals should not be in our drinking water, our food, or our bodies. We urgently need to turn off the tap and transition to Pfas-free alternatives.’
What do you think? Is the government’s response sufficient, or is a complete ban on Pfas the only way forward? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation we can’t afford to ignore.
