Water from our taps is some of the best in Europe, according to a report out today.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate's (DWI) 14th annual report revealed Southern Water carried out 76,090 tests in 2003, of which 99.86 per cent complied with drinking water standards.

It also showed the 2.2 million people who drink the company's water were getting better quality water than in the past.

Southern Water published its 2003 drinking water quality report to coincide with the DWI figures.

DWI inspector for the region Marcus Rink said: "This year, we have had the lowest number of test failures over 14 years of testing against the 1989 drinking water standards.

"Water is vital to health and consumers can feel confident appropriate testing and monitoring is taking place on their behalf.

It is important we remain committed to improving and maintaining the standards for future generations."

The report showed 99.88 per cent of almost three million tests carried out nationally in 2003 met national and European Union standards.

Last year, the number of tests failing to meet drinking water standards was 3,418, compared with just more than 25,000 ten years ago.

The DWI said the standard of tap water in England and Wales had broken its own record for quality.

Scientists at Southern Water tested for more than 100 substances in rivers, reservoirs, underground reserves and household taps. In addition, more than £54 million was invested during 2003 to improve water quality.

This included upgrading and installing new systems at treatment works across the county.

Dr Nigel Smetham, water quality manager at Southern Water, said: "These results show every time our customers turn on the tap they can be sure the water is of a high quality and safe to drink."