WE all take it for granted, but it takes a small army of water officials to make sure what comes out of our taps is clean.

And today Swindon's supplier Thames Water boasted that the town's supply was now purer than it has ever been.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate has found that 99.91 per cent of samples of supplies piped by the company meet its standards, higher than the national average of 99.86 percent.

The data was revealed today in the inspectorate's 12th annual report.

A total of 484,000 samples were taken throughout the Thames Water area, which also includes locations as diverse as Reading, Aylesbury, London and Guildford.

Chief inspector Michael Rouse said: "Thames Water Utilities Limited has made particularly impressive steps in minimising the pick-up of lead from lead pipes.

"This is also good news for consumers, as it should ensure lower costs and less disruption because the need for replacement pipes will be much reduced."

This is Thames Water's ninth annual improvement in as many years, and the firm puts its success down to a rolling programme of work.

John Sexton, managing director of its utilities division, said: "The news that we have again reached a new high is very pleasing.

"It is a significant achievement, which is the result of ongoing improvements in our water treatment and distribution processes."

Company spokesman Chris Shipway explained that these improvements have included the refurbishment of reservoirs and refinement of disinfection processes.

He added: "A lot of improvements have been carried out in previous years, and over the course of the last year further improvements have been made by paying attention to the details of water treatment and distribution.

"We have an ongoing programme in this respect, and when shortcomings are identified, that's what we pay attention to."

Last year, 99.89 percent of Thames Water samples met the inspectorate's standards.

The inspectorate was formed in 1990 to monitor the then newly-privatised water companies and make sure they provided safe, high-quality drinking water to customers.