No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Cebu, Philippines is not recommended for drinking due to bacterial and chemical contamination.
Water treatment facilities are often inadequate, and distribution systems are prone to leakages and contamination.
It's best to drink bottled or filtered water to ensure safety and avoid waterborne diseases.
Philippines is ranked as number 111 globally with a score of 42.7% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Cebu City's tap water comes from surface water sources, including the Buhisan and Mananga Rivers, and the Jaclupan Dam.
Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) also extracts groundwater from deep wells and springs, primarily in the Mactan and Cebu City areas.
Additionally, MCWD imports water from nearby islands, such as Bohol, through underwater pipes to augment supply during peak demand.
Some shopping malls, airports, and large public facilities in Cebu have safe drinking fountains with filtered water.
These fountains typically have signage indicating that the water is safe to drink and is regularly tested for quality.
However, it's still recommended to exercise caution and check with staff or management to confirm the water's safety.
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Cebu. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.