Is Nairobi Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Nairobi’s tap water is treated by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, but it is not consistently safe to drink directly from the tap. Aging pipes, illegal connections, supply interruptions, and poorly maintained building storage tanks can introduce contamination after treatment.
For drinking, use water that has been boiled, filtered with a certified microbiological filter, or supplied in sealed bottles. Boiling is especially important after service interruptions or when the water appears cloudy, has an unusual smell, or comes from an unclean storage tank.
Last checked: 2026-08-31
Kenya is ranked as number 154 globally with a score of 21.2% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi’s tap water comes mainly from surface water sources in the Aberdare Range, especially Ndakaini Dam on the Thika River and Sasumua Dam. Smaller supplies come from Ruiru Dam, local springs, and boreholes.
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company treats this water at plants including Ngethu and Sasumua before distributing it through the city’s piped network. Supply levels can vary with rainfall, reservoir levels, and interruptions in the distribution system.
Nairobi Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Nairobi are not uniformly safe to use. Water may be treated at the source, but contamination can occur through pipes, storage tanks, or poorly maintained fountain fittings.
Use a fountain only if it is clearly maintained and connected to a treated municipal supply. For the safest option, drink sealed bottled water or water that has been properly boiled or filtered.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Nairobi. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions. For easy access on the go, download our iOS app to find water fountains nearby.
Nearby Places
About the Author
Hi, I'm Emily Hartman, a researcher and water quality specialist with a background in public health.
I've spent the last few years studying how everyday water systems impact our health, and I'm passionate about making that information clear and useful for everyone.
Safe, clean tap water isn't just my job, it's something I truly care about.