Is Cape Town Tap Water Safe To Drink?
Yes! The tap water is safe to drink.
Yes, tap water in Cape Town is generally safe to drink, meeting South African National Standards (SANS) 241.
The City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Department treats and monitors the water supply to ensure quality.
However, it's always a good idea to take normal precautions, such as storing water in clean containers and washing hands.
South Africa is ranked as number 144 globally with a score of 25.3% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town's tap water primarily comes from six dams: Theewaterskloof, Steenbras, Berg River, Voëlvlei, Wemmershoek, and Silvermine.
Additional sources include the Atlas and Mozambique springs, and purified water from the City's wastewater treatment plants.
In times of drought, Cape Town also uses desalinated seawater and recycled water to supplement the supply.
Cape Town Drinking Fountains
Many public drinking fountains in Cape Town are safe to use, providing clean and potable water.
These fountains are typically maintained by the City of Cape Town and meet the same water quality standards as tap water.
It's still a good idea to inspect the fountain before drinking and avoid using those that appear dirty or damaged.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Cape Town. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.