UK legal limit: 50 µg/L. What chromium is, its health context, and how to check and reduce it in your tap water.
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Chromium is a metal that occurs naturally in rocks and soil and can enter water from geology or industrial activity. It exists in two main forms: chromium-3, an essential trace nutrient, and chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium), which is the form of concern for health. The UK regulates total chromium in drinking water with a legal limit (PCV) of 50 µg/L.
Hexavalent chromium is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans, mainly from inhalation exposure in industrial settings. In drinking water at UK concentrations — far below the 50 µg/L limit — chromium is not associated with demonstrated health effects. Water companies test for it routinely.
Reverse osmosis certified to NSF/ANSI 58 is the most effective point-of-use method for reducing chromium, including chromium-6. Standard carbon jug filters are not designed for it.
Chromium is reported by 115 supply zones in our dataset. Across those zones the highest recorded mean is just 0.6 µg/L — around one-eightieth of the 50 µg/L limit — and every reporting zone sits far below the standard. Enter your postcode above to see whether your zone reports chromium.
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Chromium is reported at trace levels in some UK zones. In our data, 115 supply zones report it, with the highest mean at 0.6 µg/L — far below the 50 µg/L legal limit. Water companies test for total chromium routinely.
The UK legal limit (Prescribed Concentration Value) for total chromium in drinking water is 50 µg/L, in line with the WHO guideline.
Chromium-3 is an essential trace nutrient. Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) is the form linked to cancer risk, mainly through industrial inhalation. UK drinking water is regulated on total chromium and tested to stay within the limit.
Reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 are the most effective at reducing chromium, including chromium-6. Standard activated carbon jug filters are not designed to remove it.
At the levels measured in UK tap water, chromium is not a demonstrated health concern. If you want to check your own supply zone, enter your postcode above.