Is Sharm el Sheikh Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Sharm el Sheikh is treated and generally meets Egyptian drinking-water standards, but its quality can vary because of storage tanks, plumbing, and distribution systems. For visitors, drinking sealed bottled water is the safer choice.
Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth, especially in hotels and older buildings. If using tap water, drink it only when the hotel or local water authority confirms that it is suitable for consumption.
Last checked: 2026-07-18
Egypt is ranked as number 96 globally with a score of 53% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
Tap water in Sharm el Sheikh comes mainly from seawater desalination plants along the Red Sea coast. These plants remove salt from seawater and supply the city’s municipal water network.
Groundwater wells provide a smaller supplementary source, while treated water may also be moved through South Sinai’s regional distribution system. The water is treated and disinfected before entering the public supply.
Sharm el Sheikh Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Sharm el Sheikh are not generally considered reliably safe for visitors, especially when their maintenance and water source are unclear. The water supply may meet treatment standards, but fountains can be affected by poor cleaning, damaged fixtures, or local contamination.
Use sealed bottled water or water from a clearly maintained, filtered dispenser instead. Avoid drinking fountain water unless it is explicitly labeled as potable and is visibly clean and well maintained.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Sharm el Sheikh. 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.