Is Manila Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Manila, Philippines, is treated and generally meets national safety standards set by the Department of Health. However, quality can vary locally.
Many residents and authorities recommend boiling or using filtration systems before drinking due to potential contamination in distribution pipes or storage tanks.
Bottled or purified water remains the safer, preferred option for direct consumption to avoid risks from microbial or chemical contaminants in tap water.
Last checked: 2025-04-25
Philippines is ranked as number 111 globally with a score of 42.7% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Manila, Philippines
Manila's tap water primarily comes from the Angat Dam, located in Bulacan province, which supplies raw water to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
Additional water sources include the Ipo Dam and La Mesa Dam, which help meet the growing demand of Metro Manila's population.
Water from these sources is treated at MWSS facilities before distribution to households and businesses across Manila and surrounding areas.
Manila Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Manila may not always meet strict hygiene or water quality standards, posing potential health risks. Caution is advised.
Maintenance and water source quality vary widely, so fountains might harbor bacteria or contaminants if not properly cleaned or treated.
Using bottled or filtered water is safer for drinking, especially from public fountains where water quality cannot be guaranteed.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Manila. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.