Cambridge residents could be sitting on a potential goldmine of savings—worth up to £2,400—simply by choosing tap water over bottled.
According to a new analysis by steaming hot water tap brand InSinkErator, the city enjoys some of the cheapest drinking water in the UK, second only to Scotland where tap water is effectively free. With Cambridge Water charging an average of just £1.39 per cubic metre, households could save an impressive 99.95% on their drinking water costs by ditching bottled varieties.
The research compared the average shop price of a 500ml bottle of water—currently around £1.30—with the cost of the same amount from the tap. The results were startling: for the price of just one shop-bought bottle, Cambridge residents could fill approximately 1,871 bottles from their taps.
Across the UK, the savings potential is still substantial. With an average tap water cost of £2.19 per cubic metre, Brits could save around 99.92% by making the switch—equating to roughly £1,594 over time. But thanks to the city’s particularly low water rates, Cambridge households stand to save hundreds more than the national average.
The environmental benefits are just as compelling. The UK consumes over 7.7 billion plastic water bottles every year, most of which are single-use. Reducing reliance on bottled water could dramatically cut local plastic waste, easing pressure on recycling systems and reducing litter in public spaces.
Cambridge Water assures residents that its supply meets the highest standards for taste, appearance, and cleanliness—factors often cited by bottled water drinkers as reasons for their purchase. With quality guaranteed, the switch from shop-bought to tap becomes a win-win for both wallets and the planet.
“Given the cost savings and the environmental impact of plastic waste, there’s really no reason not to fill from the tap,”
For Cambridge, the message is clear: swapping bottles for taps could keep thousands in residents’ pockets and millions of plastic bottles out of the bin.
