Is Chennai Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Chennai, India is not recommended for drinking due to contamination risks and lack of treatment.
Chennai's tap water often contains high levels of bacteria, viruses, and physico-chemical contaminants like iron and manganese.
It's advisable to drink bottled or filtered water to ensure safety and avoid waterborne diseases.
India is ranked as number 143 globally with a score of 25.6% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Chennai, India
Chennai's tap water comes from two main sources: River Krishna and River Kaveri, supplied through the Mettur Dam and Krishnagiri Dam.
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) also draws water from local sources like Chembarambakkam and Veeranam lakes.
The city's water supply is augmented by desalination plants and rainwater harvesting initiatives to meet increasing demands.
Chennai Drinking Fountains
Safe drinking fountains in Chennai are rare, and it's best to avoid consuming water from public fountains.
Most public fountains are not designed for drinking and may contain contaminated water, posing health risks.
Only a few modern establishments, like airports and malls, have installed filtered water fountains, but their safety cannot be guaranteed.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Chennai. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.