Drinking water in Sussex is top quality, according to new reports.

Southern Water says its water quality rivals the best in Europe after extensive sampling which checked for more than 100 substances, including lead, zinc, chloride, arsenic, calcium and sodium.

In total, almost 375,000 tests were carried out on the 600 million litres of water supplied to 2.2 million people last year, according to the 2002 Drinking Water Quality Report.

Southern Water invested £54 million in schemes to improve water supply last year.

These included a seven-year programme to renovate 648km (400 miles) of cast iron water main pipes, enough to stretch from the company's headquarters in Worthing to Scotland.

Water quality manager Dr Nigel Smetham said: "Research shows that drinking eight glasses of water a day is essential for good health and assists in improving concentration, particularly for children.

"I am delighted we are continuing to supply drinking water of the highest quality and, with almost £250 million being spent on schemes to improve water supplies from 2000 to 2005, I am confident this will continue."

Jeni Colbourne, the Drinking Water Inspectorate's new chief inspector, said: "Thanks to a system of rigorous enforcement by our inspectors and investment by water companies, the quality of drinking water in England and Wales is the best it has ever been.

"It is great news that the regulatory results confirm the excellent quality of our drinking water but this technical success is not enough. We need to understand more about consumers' perceptions of tap water and why these are not always positive.

"During 2003, water regulators, including the Inspectorate, are seeking consumers' opinions on water services in a bid to improve customer satisfaction.

"Key concerns are the way that water looks, smells and tastes as it comes out of the tap and I want to actively promote customer satisfaction."