Is Riyadh Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is treated and disinfected to remove bacteria and viruses.
However, it may contain high levels of chlorine, fluoride, and total dissolved solids (TDS).
It's recommended to use a water filter or boiler to improve taste and quality before drinking.
Saudi Arabia is ranked as number 67 globally with a score of 64% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh's tap water sources include non-renewable groundwater from deep wells and shallow aquifers.
Desalinated seawater from the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf is also transported to Riyadh through pipelines.
Recycled wastewater, known as treated sewage effluent (TSE), is used for non-potable purposes, not for drinking water.
Riyadh Drinking Fountains
Some shopping malls and public areas have designated drinking fountains with filtered water.
These fountains typically have signage indicating they provide safe drinking water.
However, it's still recommended to check with mall management or local authorities to ensure water quality.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Riyadh. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.