No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in St Petersburg, Russia is not recommended for drinking due to inconsistently treated water supply.
Water treatment plants often lack modern filtration systems, and pipes are old, leading to contamination risks.
It's best to stick to bottled or filtered water to ensure safe and healthy drinking water consumption.
Russia is ranked as number 48 globally with a score of 73.8% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
St Petersburg's tap water sources include the Neva River, Lake Ladoga, and underground aquifers.
Water is also sourced from the Svir River, which flows from Lake Onega into Lake Ladoga.
These sources are treated at various water treatment plants before distribution to the city's residents.
Some public drinking fountains in St Petersburg provide safe and clean drinking water, often with filters or UV treatment.
These fountains are typically found in popular tourist areas, public squares, or near government buildings.
Look for fountains with clear signs indicating "питьевая вода" (pit'ye-vaya voda), meaning "drinking water," to ensure safety.
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in St Petersburg. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.