Can you drink tap water in Dubai? By a local

I’ll give you my own experiences since 2013 (when I first moved) plus information on where Dubai gets its water and the mistakes you should avoid to keep you and your family safe.

Tap water in Dubai is supplied by the government authority called DEWA and meets all international standards for potable water, which is a fancy way of saying drinking water.

“DEWA provides desalinated water in accordance with the highest international safety and quality standards including that of the World Health Organization related to the production, transmission, and distribution of drinking water. This is done through DEWA’s Central Lab, which works continuously to improve quality. The lab recently received the ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 certificate, which is the modified version of the previous version ISO / IEC 17025: 2005, by the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC).”

How to make sure the tap water in Dubai is safe

If the building you are staying in or living in isn’t well managed or you don’t take proper care of your villa water tank, bacteria and water-borne illnesses could seep into the water supply.

So while the tap water provided by Dubai Municipality is safe, the pipes or water tanks can make the water unsafe to drink unless a water filter is installed.

These are a few things you should check before drinking tap water in Dubai:

• Is the building I am staying in well-maintained? Are water tanks checked & cleaned regularly?
• If a villa – Has the water tank been cleaned regularly?
• Is a water filter fitted?

Having a filter fitted adds an extra layer of protection to be safe, should anything happen to the water storage tanks.

The other benefit of a water filter is it removes the high levels of calcium along with other undesirable elements in the water. Calcium makes the water harder and changes the taste of the water which is why water filters and bottled water are popular in Dubai.

If you live in a villa, it is your responsibility to clean the tank and should be done once or twice a year. You should also check the tank visually, to make sure nothing has fallen into the tank.

Where does Dubai get its water

Dubai gets its water from underground aquifers, desalination plants and a small amount from surface water, such as springs or dams. The water is then treated to ensure that it meets all standards for potable drinking water.

“Groundwater is the main natural water resource. The total volume of groundwater is quite significant at around 640 billion cubic metres (BCM), but only 3% of it (around 20BCM) is fresh.” – Fanack Water specialises in water information in the MENA region.

“The UAE uses thermal desalination as the dominant technology to make seawater potable. Today, most of the country’s potable water (42 per cent of the total water requirement) comes from some 70 major desalination plants, which account for around 14 per cent of the world’s total production of desalinated water.” – UAE Government

Can you drink tap water in Dubai hotels?

Yes! All hotels in Dubai are required by law to provide safe drinking water to their guests.

The tap water is tested regularly for safety and meets all standards for potable drinking water. So, you can confidently drink the tap water in your hotel room without any worries of getting sick.

I usually use the tap water for my hot drinks in Dubai, such as tea and coffee however many hotels these days provide filtered water.

I’ve never had any health issues caused by the Dubai water since I moved in 2013 despite brushing my teeth with tap water and sometimes have tea from the tap water too. I’ve lived in both apartments, stayed in hotels and lived in a villa.

However, if you don’t feel comfortable, all Dubai hotels also provide bottles of mineral water or filtered water for free in the room. Due to the UAE’s initiative to reduce single-use plastics since 2024, you’ll more commonly find filtered water these days.

On the left is from my stay at Element Hotel in Al Jaddaf which offers unlimited filtered water and is connected to Dubai’s main water supply.

On the right is a photo from when I stayed at the W Dubai Mina Seyahi, they offer both still and sparkling filtered water with unlimited bottle refills. This hotels and resort is one of my favourite family-friendly hotels in Dubai as it has its own water park and kids club in the resort.

Can you drink tap water in Dubai airport?

Yes, it’s safe to drink the tap water in Dubai airport. All airports within the UAE must adhere to stringent safety regulations, which includes providing safe drinking water to passengers and staff.

The tap water in Dubai airport is tested regularly.

Can you drink boiled tap water in Dubai?

Yes, if you want to be extra safe while drinking tap water in Dubai, you can boil the tap water before consuming it.

However, this step isn’t necessary if the accommodation you are staying in takes good care of their water systems or there’s a water filter.

Can I cook with Dubai tap water?

Yes, you can safely use Dubai tap water for cooking purposes. The tap water is safe to eat and meets all international standards for potable drinking water. Also the heating and boiling of the water when cooking will kill bacteria both in the food and water.

However, if you want to be extra safe and make sure the water reaches a high temperature, you can boil the tap water before using it for cooking.

Should I buy a water filter in Dubai?

If you want to ensure that the tap water in Dubai is of the highest quality, then it’s recommended that you invest in a filtration system.

Water filters can help reduce the presence of impurities, chlorine and other contaminants in the tap water. This will make it much safer for drinking and will also improve its taste.

💧 Compare water filters in Dubai here 💧

More information about Dubai Tap Water

Is the myth of Dubai water causing hair loss true or false?

So it will firstly depend on a few factors; it will depend on what building you live in and what country you’ve moved from. Some buildings have water filters installed to soften the water and if you’ve come from an area that has hard water already then you likely won’t notice such a difference.

The way Dubai processes water from the sea using desalination and Dubai’s water is classed as hard, meaning it has high levels of calcium in the water.

Hard water can indeed cause hair loss indirectly, by causing hair to dry out and break or for hair to have less volume by particles from the water weighing your hair down, according to studies.

On top of this, hot weather also has an effect on the hair by drying it out and causing breakages. Overwashing the hair, taking more frequent showers due to the hot weather etc can also further dry out your hair.

Expert Tip – My hairdresser’s advice, especially if you have finer hair, make sure you wash your hair less than you do in your home country. Wash your hair once a week to twice a week maximum since the heat is already drying your hair out and overwashing will dry it out further.

💧 Compare water filters for the shower in Dubai here 💧

What does Dubai tap water taste like?

The tap water in Dubai is generally safe to drink, however, it may have a bland taste due to the low mineral content. It is also typically high in calcium which changes the taste. Water high in calcium creates a mildly bitter taste.

To make the tap water more palatable, you can use a filtration system to eliminate impurities or chlorine. Additionally, adding a few drops of lemon juice to the water can help improve its taste.

Why do so many expats drink bottled water in Dubai?

There are two main reasons, the first is due to the taste, as its desalinated water and the lack of minerals makes the water unpleasant. The second is water systems may not be managed well in buildings or villas, such as cleaning the water tanks and pipes. So it is safer to drink bottled water due to bacteria and water-borne illnesses.

Also, the water is typically warm due to the desert climate, so again this may not make it enjoyable to drink.

Water coolers offer convenience as they have both cold and boiling water functions for the fast making of drinks. On top of this, many water deliver companies offer easy delivery options and the large bottles designed for water coolers are taken back to be reused.

A final reason is that for years it’s always been the norm for most to not drink the tap water and it’s somewhat unusual to find someone who does drink the tap water unless it’s filtered.

My personal reasons? I prefer the taste of mineral water and I like drinking cold water. I’m happy drinking water filtered from the tap, also but I use tap water for showing, brushing my teeth and most cooking.

Conclusion

The majority of water supplies in the UAE and Dubai are safe to drink. The UAE government have strict measures to ensure the safety of tap water which meets international standards. However, most buildings and villas have water storage tanks and the management of these are independent. So if you feel where you are staying isn’t well managed, then it is safer for you to drink bottled water.

Many expats choose to drink bottled or filtered water due to the taste and assured safety. The Dubai heat can also make it unpleasant to drink tap water as it is unlikely to be cold for the majority of the year.

If you’re thinking to buy a water filter for your villa or apartment in the UAE, check out some of the various models available here.

We hope this article has provided helpful information about the safety of Dubai tap water, as well as how you can make it more palatable. Have fun and stay hydrated!

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