John Lewis has spent months supplying bottled water to households in a Hampshire village after fertiliser pollution left the local supply unsafe to drink.
Residents of Longstock, near Andover, have received bottled water deliveries from the retailer for the past four months after tests revealed dangerously high levels of nitrates in supplies drawn from the Leckford Estate, a 2,800-acre farm owned by the John Lewis Partnership since 1929.
The estate, often referred to as the “Waitrose Farm”, produces fruit and other goods for the supermarket chain. Around half of Longstock’s homes rely directly on water sourced from the site.
Nitrates are commonly used in fertilisers but can leach into groundwater when washed out of soil by rainfall. High concentrations in drinking water pose a health risk because they interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Infants are particularly vulnerable, with nitrate exposure linked to a potentially fatal condition known as “blue baby syndrome.” Pregnant women are also at heightened risk.
Public health authorities have told villagers they may continue using tap water only if they also drink bottled water, while young children and expectant mothers have been advised not to consume the tap supply at all.
In response, the Leckford Estate has installed new filtration systems at its boreholes, which are partly replenished by the River Test. However, officials expect the contamination issues to persist for at least another month while further testing is carried out.
A spokesperson for the estate said the situation reflected a wider problem: “The presence of nitrates is unfortunately a nationwide issue. We’re in regular contact with residents and have supplied free bottled water while new systems are installed. As a long-term solution, we are exploring options to connect Longstock to the local water provider.”
Government agencies have previously warned of rising nitrate levels across England, blaming prolonged dry spells, changes in cropping practices and increased fertiliser use. More than half of the country is now classified as a “nitrate vulnerable zone,” where extra monitoring and stricter land management rules apply.
Nationally, nearly 30% of drinking water drawn from underground aquifers requires treatment or blending with cleaner sources to meet safety standards.
The incident at Leckford has unfolded against a backdrop of wider concerns about water quality. Southern Water, which supplies much of the region surrounding Longstock, was responsible for 15 serious pollution incidents last year. A similar contamination event occurred in Bramley, Surrey, when a petrol leak at an Asda filling station forced Thames Water to issue a “do not drink” order and provide bottled water to residents.
For villagers in Longstock, John Lewis has pledged to continue bottled water deliveries until the supply is deemed safe.
