Britons opt for internet over good drinking water quality

Britons would sacrifice safe drinking water before giving up their internet connection, a new study has revealed.

According to research by the London Science Museum, high drinking water quality was lower down the public's list of priorities than web access.

Wastewater provisions were also surprisingly low in the rankings, as a flushing toilet was only deemed to be the ninth most important aspect of an average UK resident's life.

Sunshine topped the poll, with a fridge and Facebook joining internet connectivity and drinking water in the top five.

The museum's exhibition manager Sarah Richardson said that because of Britain's obsession with the weather, she was not shocked to see sunshine in first position.

"But to say you can't live without material things over drinking water is crazy," she added.

Some people in China may take a different view, as drinking water supplies in the town of Sanbao have been tainted by metal waste that has been dumped in a nearby waterway.

Posted by Claire Manning