Abstract: \textlessp\textgreater The concentrations of Br in potable groundwaters in the United Kingdom range from 60 to 340 µg 1 \textlesssup\textgreater-1\textless/sup\textgreater . The occurrence of Br is described in terms of the Br/Cl weight ratio which enables small changes in bromide concentrations to be assessed in terms of salinity. Median values of Br/Cl in groundwaters range from 2.60 to 5.15 × 10 \textlesssup\textgreater−3\textless/sup\textgreater compared with a sea water ratio of 3.47× 10 \textlesssup\textgreater−3\textless/sup\textgreater . In recent shallow groundwaters the Br/Cl ratio is rather variable in response to a range of natural and anthropogenic inputs (marine and industrial aerosols, industrial and agricultural chemicals including road salt). Some slight enrichment in Br/Cl also occurs naturally during infiltration as a result of biogeochemical processes. \textless/p\textgreater