Mercury Water Test Results Guide

What this test measures

This test screens for mercury. It’s very rare in UK water supplies, but it’s a sensible check for private wells and boreholes, older industrial areas, or simple peace of mind — you can’t taste or smell it.

The UK standard

UK drinking water regulations set a strict 1 µg/l limit for mercury. Mains supplies are routinely monitored and are normally nowhere near it.

Reading your strip

Dip a strip into your sample for two seconds, hold it level and wait 30 seconds. Match the mercury pad against the colour chart on your instructions card and read off the closest band. Strips give you a clear range rather than a lab-precise number — exactly what you need for spotting problems and tracking changes over time.

What to do next

• Confirm it first. One strip is a snapshot — re-test with a fresh strip and a fresh sample before acting on a result.
• If a reading on a mains supply stays above the standard after re-testing, contact your water supplier — they investigate quality concerns free of charge.
• On a private supply (well, borehole or spring), your local council’s environmental health team can arrange accredited lab testing.
• Thinking about a filter? Test before and after fitting it so you can see exactly what it changed.