Is Cairo Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Cairo is treated and meets Egyptian drinking water standards. However, aging infrastructure can cause contamination risks after treatment.
Many residents prefer bottled or filtered water due to concerns about pipe quality and potential microbial contamination. Boiling tap water is common practice.
International travelers are often advised to avoid tap water for drinking to prevent gastrointestinal issues, relying instead on bottled or purified water sources.
Last checked: 2025-04-25
Egypt is ranked as number 96 globally with a score of 53% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Cairo, Egypt
Cairo’s main tap water source is the Nile River, which provides the majority of the city's raw water supply.
Water is treated at several large plants along the Nile, including the Greater Cairo Water Treatment Plant and the Shubra El Kheima plant.
Groundwater from wells supplements surface water, mainly in suburban areas, but the Nile remains the primary source for most of Cairo's tap water.
Cairo Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Cairo often lack consistent maintenance, increasing the risk of microbial contamination. Their safety varies widely.
Many experts advise against using public fountains for drinking without purification due to potential bacterial and chemical hazards.
Using bottled or filtered water is recommended over public fountains to minimize health risks associated with unsafe water.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Cairo. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.