Can you drink tap water in Dubai? from a local

If you’re visiting Dubai for the first time, it’s normal to ask, can I drink the tap water? Is it safe for my family to drink the water? Especially in a hot country like the UAE, where staying hydrated is indeed important!

The short answer: yes, Dubai tap water is safe to drink. But there are a few things worth knowing before you turn on the tap. Plus the unusual reason why residents often don’t drink it.

Dubai water safety exception

The UAE government takes water safety seriously and the quality at the source is not in question.

However! The water travels through building pipes and storage tanks before it reaches your tap and this is where things can vary. If a building or villa isn’t well-maintained, bacteria and water-borne illnesses can enter the water supply through poorly cleaned tanks.

Before drinking tap water in Dubai, ask:

• Is the building or villa well-managed with regularly cleaned water tanks?
• Is a water filter fitted?

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 42% of its water from desalination plants. Other main sources are underground aquifers and a small amount is 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?

All Dubai hotels are legally required to provide safe drinking water to guests and tap water is tested regularly. I’ve used it for tea and brushing my teeth since 2013 with no health issues. I’ve lived in apartments, villas and stayed in several different hotels.

Hotels provide filtered or bottled water in the room, and since the UAE’s push to reduce single-use plastics, filtered water has increasingly become the norm.

The photo above on the left is from my stay at Element Hotel in Al Jaddaf which had a water filter machine connected to Dubai’s main water supply. The right is from W Dubai Mina Seyahi, with bottled still and sparkling filtered water with unlimited refills. (This hotel 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)

The other benefit filtered water in Dubai is that it removes the high levels of calcium along with other undesirable elements in the water, as Calcium makes the water harder and changes the taste.

Best travel water bottle with a filter for Dubai 💧

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 include providing safe drinking water to passengers and staff. However it’s best to drink or fill up your bottle directly from the water fountains provided in Dubai Airport.

Why do Expats in dubai Drink Bottled or Filtered Water?

Mainly two reasons, taste and habit. Dubai’s desalinated water is high in calcium and low in minerals, which makes it taste slightly bitter compared to mineral water and bland-tasting. It also tends to run warm due to the desert heat, which doesn’t make it particularly enjoyable to drink straight from the tap.

Many expats use water coolers or filters rather than individual bottled water as it’s more convenient, cheaper long-term, and better for the environment.

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.

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.

The Bottom Line

Dubai tap water is safe but most residents choose filtered or bottled water for taste rather than safety reasons. However if you suspect the water tank hasn’t been cleaned regularly, then you’re best opting like the locals for filtered water.

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