Is Bukhara Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, generally meets basic safety standards but may contain contaminants due to aging infrastructure. Boiling is recommended.
Local authorities report periodic issues with microbial and chemical contamination. Bottled or filtered water is preferred for drinking to ensure safety.
Visitors and residents should use bottled water or proper filtration to avoid gastrointestinal illnesses. Always check recent local water quality updates for safety.
Last checked: 2025-07-20
Source of Water in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Bukhara's tap water primarily comes from groundwater sources, including wells tapping into the Amu Darya river basin aquifers.
Surface water from the Zarafshan River supplements the supply, though it requires significant treatment due to pollution and seasonal variability.
Water treatment plants in Bukhara process these sources to meet drinking water standards before distribution to households and businesses.
Bukhara Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Bukhara may not consistently meet safety standards due to potential contamination and inadequate maintenance. Caution is advised.
Using water from these fountains can pose health risks, including gastrointestinal infections, especially for visitors and those with weakened immunity.
It is safer to rely on bottled or properly filtered water rather than public fountains for drinking purposes in Bukhara.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Bukhara. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.
Nearby Places
- Samarkand
(216 km)
- Jizzakh
(292 km)
- Uzbekistan
(361 km)
- Khiva
(387 km)
- Dushanbe
(399 km)
- Tashkent
(437 km)
About the Author

Hi, I'm Emily Hartman, a researcher and water quality specialist with a background in public health.
I've spent the last few years studying how everyday water systems impact our health, and I'm passionate about making that information clear and useful for everyone.
Safe, clean tap water isn't just my job — it's something I truly care about.