Exclusive Investigation Uncovers Widespread Pfas Contamination in Northern England
A shocking environmental crisis has emerged in northern England, with high levels of the banned cancer-causing "forever chemical" Pfos detected in rivers and groundwater at 25 separate sites across Cumbria and Lancashire. This contamination, uncovered by Watershed Investigations and the Guardian through a freedom of information request, reveals toxic pollution hotspots spreading across a large area, including regions designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty with multiple protections for wildlife and habitats.
The Environment Agency samples, taken in January 2025, showed alarming concentrations of Pfos, a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (Pfas). These chemicals are notoriously persistent, taking hundreds or thousands of years to degrade, and have been linked to a range of serious health problems. At one particularly concerning site, groundwater contained Pfos at a staggering 3,840ng/l, alongside elevated levels of other banned Pfas compounds. All 25 sites recorded Pfos concentrations well above the drinking water guideline limit of 100ng/l for the combined total of 48 Pfas compounds.
Residents Left in the Dark and Without Support
Local residents have been severely impacted by this contamination. One business owner, whose private well was polluted, reported discovering the issue in November 2021 after being "unofficially" informed by an individual at the Environment Agency. The agency had been testing the well for approximately 35 years due to concerns about "chemical drift" in the groundwater. Upon contacting the agency, the resident was offered no assistance and was directed to Westmorland and Furness council, which allegedly stated they wished the resident had not been told, as they could not even test for Pfas.
"There was no help, no advice, no support of any kind," the resident lamented. "I tried to get the council to look for the source of the pollution but no one seemed interested. They said it looked like we were an outlier ... nearly five years later I am still no wiser." The business has since switched to the mains water supply, with the council claiming ongoing support to ensure compliance and public safety.
Potential Sources and Regulatory Failures
The Environment Agency identified elevated Pfas levels in the area in 2022 through its national surveillance monitoring programme. However, it stressed that responsibility for protecting users of private water supplies lies with local authorities. Possible sources of Pfos contamination, as noted in the agency's March 2025 report, include a paper mill in Beetham where Pfas were historically used, along with sites where Pfas-contaminated paper pulp may have been spread on land, potentially contaminating soils and entering the food chain.
The mill's operator went into administration, with assets sold to a new entity in June 2025. Robyn Khan, director of the new operator Pelta Medical Papers, stated that there has been no use of Pfas-based chemicals since the acquisition and that any previous manufacture complied with regulations at the time. Other potential sources flagged include five historical landfills, one operational landfill, sewage treatment works, fire stations, and discharges from caravan parks.
Government Action Plan Criticised as Inadequate
In response to the growing crisis, the government published a new Pfas action plan, proposing tighter controls such as new guidance on contaminated land, a consultation on statutory limits for Pfas in drinking water, and potentially stricter rules for industrial sites. However, this plan has faced sharp criticism. Water UK advocates for an outright ban on Pfas, warning that the UK risks falling behind other European nations that are increasingly prohibiting these substances and holding manufacturers accountable for cleanup costs.
Chloe Alexander, chemicals policy lead at Wildlife and Countryside Link, condemned the government's plan as "a roadmap to nowhere," highlighting its lack of binding phaseouts, clear timetables, or commitment to match the EU's proposed Pfas ban. Hannah Evans from the environmental charity Fidra emphasised the urgency, stating, "This is yet another case demonstrating just how prevalent Pfas pollution is and the real-world consequences. Persistent chemicals should not be in our drinking water, our food, or our bodies."
With about 33,000 private water supplies in England, a report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate warns of increasing vulnerability due to climate change, with more supplies running dry during droughts and others facing environmental pollution. The situation in Cumbria and Lancashire underscores a pressing need for comprehensive action to address Pfas contamination and protect public health and the environment.
