Updated on: July 21, 2025 7:00 pm GMT

What Tourists Need to Know About Drinking Water in Dubai

If you’re traveling to Dubai, a common question that pops up is:

“Can I drink the tap water safely?”

Dubai is a world-class destination known for its luxury, innovation, and hospitality — but what about its water? Is it safe to drink from the tap? Can you brush your teeth, or should you stick to bottled water?

This guide answers all your questions about drinking water safety in Dubai for tourists, so you can stay healthy and hydrated during your visit.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Dubai?

Yes — technically, Dubai tap water is safe to drink.

Water in Dubai is provided by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) and goes through advanced desalination, purification, and treatment processes. It meets WHO (World Health Organization) and Dubai Municipality standards for potable water.

However, here’s where it gets a bit more nuanced.

While the water leaving DEWA’s plants is clean and safe, the condition of water storage tanks and building plumbing can affect the quality by the time it reaches the tap — especially in older hotels or accommodations with poorly maintained systems.

We broke this down in detail in

Is DEWA Water Safe for Daily Consumption? and

Is It Safe to Drink Tap Water in Dubai? Everything You Need to Know.

What About Tap Water in Hotels?

Most reputable hotels in Dubai have well-maintained plumbing and water tanks. It is safe to:

• Brush your teeth
• Make tea or coffee
• Shower and bathe
• Wash fruits or vegetables

That said, many hotels still provide complimentary bottled water in rooms — not because tap water is unsafe, but to accommodate tourists’ preferences and habits.

If you’re ever unsure, you can always ask the hotel staff when the water tanks were last cleaned, or use the bottled water for drinking.

For more insights, see

Can You Drink Tap Water in Dubai Hotels or Should You Avoid It?.

Is It Safe to Drink Water in Restaurants and Cafes?

Yes, absolutely.

Restaurants, hotels, and cafes across Dubai are heavily regulated by the Dubai Municipality, which requires:

• Regular water quality testing
• Tank and pipeline maintenance
• Strict hygiene standards

Most restaurants use filtered DEWA water for cooking and washing — and often serve bottled or filtered water for drinking.

Still, if you prefer filtered or mineral water, it’s readily available and inexpensive.

Can I Brush My Teeth with Tap Water?

Yes. The vast majority of tourists and locals use Dubai’s tap water to brush their teeth with no issues. Just make sure you’re in a well-maintained hotel or Airbnb with clean storage systems — which is usually the case in Dubai.

Learn more about this in our detailed post:

Can You Brush Your Teeth with Tap Water in Dubai?.

Is Tap Water Safe for Kids and Babies?

While the water is technically safe, many parents — both locals and tourists — prefer to:

• Use filtered or bottled water for infants’ formula
• Boil tap water before giving it to toddlers
• Bring trusted baby water brands when traveling

This is mostly out of caution, not because of proven risks. If you’re traveling with a baby, it’s always best to consult your pediatrician.

Is Tap Water Safe Across the UAE?

If you’re planning to visit Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or other emirates, the situation is similar:

• Tap water is desalinated and treated
• Safety depends on infrastructure and storage
• Bottled or filtered water is often used out of habit

We covered this in more depth in

Can You Drink Tap Water in Abu Dhabi and Other Emirates?.

Can You Refill Bottles from the Tap?

Yes — especially if you’re staying in a modern hotel or apartment where the tap water quality is high. To be extra cautious:

• Refill from a kitchen tap, not bathroom
• Use a portable water filter bottle (great for travelers)
• Let the tap run for 5–10 seconds to flush stagnant water

This is a great way to reduce plastic waste during your trip.

What Are the Risks If I Do Drink Tap Water?

In the rare case of poorly maintained infrastructure (e.g., unclean tanks or old pipes), drinking the water may lead to:

• Minor gastrointestinal discomfort
• Chlorine aftertaste
• Slightly cloudy appearance from sediments

These are rare occurrences, and for the average tourist, they are not serious. However, if you’re sensitive or have a weak immune system, stick to bottled or filtered water.

Pro Tips for Tourists

• Bottled water is cheap and widely available in hotels, malls, and supermarkets.
• Carry a refillable filter bottle if you’re exploring the city on foot.
• Always ask your hotel about tank cleaning frequency if you plan to drink from the tap.
• If water smells like chlorine, let it sit for a few seconds or use a filter — it’s still safe.

Final Verdict

Dubai tap water is safe, and as a tourist, you can confidently use it for daily activities like brushing, showering, or cooking. For drinking, bottled or filtered water is more common, but not always necessary.

The bottom line:

Dubai’s water system is modern, well-regulated, and built with safety in mind. Enjoy your trip, stay hydrated, and don’t stress over the tap.

Of course! Please provide the paragraph you’d like me to rewrite, and I’ll be happy to help.

Updated on: July 21, 2025 6:11 pm GMT

Is DEWA Water Safe for Daily Consumption?

If you live in Dubai, you’ve likely heard of DEWA — the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. While DEWA is known for powering homes, many residents and newcomers often ask, “Is DEWA water actually safe for daily use — including drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth?”

Let’s explore what the experts say in 2025, the safety protocols behind Dubai’s water system, and what you should know about daily tap water usage.

What Is DEWA Water?

DEWA is the primary utility provider in Dubai, managing both electricity and water supply across residential, commercial, and industrial zones. The tap water delivered by DEWA is:

• Sourced from the sea
• Desalinated using reverse osmosis and multi-stage flash distillation
• Chlorinated and UV-treated for safety
• Tested regularly to meet WHO (World Health Organization) standards

So yes — DEWA water at the point of supply is completely safe.

The Real Challenge: Storage, Not Supply

Even though DEWA provides water that meets international safety benchmarks, the quality can degrade within your building or villa. This is due to:

• Rooftop storage tanks that aren’t regularly cleaned
• Old plumbing systems that may contain rust or bacteria
• Contaminants entering through poor sealing or leaks

This is a common theme not just in Dubai, but across the UAE. We discussed this in more detail in

Can You Drink Tap Water in Abu Dhabi and Other Emirates? and

Why Dubai’s Tap Water is Often Misunderstood: Facts & Myths.

Is It Safe for Drinking?

Technically, yes — DEWA water is drinkable straight from the tap, especially if:

• Your building’s water tanks are cleaned every 6–12 months
• You use a basic home filtration system (such as activated carbon or RO filters)
• Pipes and fittings are not corroded

In most modern buildings and villas, the tap water is clean enough to drink, especially if it doesn’t have an unusual taste or smell.

Still unsure? You can always boil the water or install a UV filtration unit at home for extra peace of mind.

What About Cooking, Brushing, and Bathing?

DEWA water is widely used by Dubai residents for:

• Cooking food
• Boiling tea and coffee
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• Brushing teeth
• Showering and bathing

According to recent surveys, over 80% of residents use tap water for these daily tasks — even if they still prefer bottled water for direct drinking.

How Often Is DEWA Water Tested?

DEWA maintains strict water quality control, conducting:

• Daily sampling and lab testing for bacteria, heavy metals, and other contaminants
• Real-time monitoring of chlorine and pH levels across the water grid
• Pipeline flushing and maintenance to reduce buildup of sediments

In fact, DEWA’s water treatment facilities are ISO-certified and reviewed under Dubai Municipality’s supervision.

Expert Insight (2025)

“People often underestimate the quality of Dubai’s tap water. DEWA’s treatment and monitoring process is robust. Most health issues arise from poor tank hygiene — not the water DEWA supplies.”

— Dr. Layla Al Suwaidi, Environmental Health Scientist, Dubai Health Authority

Common Questions About DEWA Water

Q: Can I give DEWA tap water to my pets?

Yes. As long as your home’s pipes and tanks are clean, DEWA water is safe for dogs, cats, and other pets.

Q: Can I drink tap water if I live in an older building?

It’s best to check when the water tank was last cleaned. If it’s been more than a year, consider boiling the water or using a filter before drinking.

Q: Does DEWA water contain fluoride?

No, Dubai’s tap water is not fluoridated. If you’re concerned about dental health, consult your dentist for fluoride treatments or supplements.

Q: What if the water smells like chlorine?

A mild chlorine smell is normal and indicates disinfection. It doesn’t make the water unsafe. If it’s too strong, let the tap run for a few seconds or use a filter.

Why Many Still Choose Bottled Water

Despite being safe, DEWA water often faces trust issues due to:

• Unpleasant taste from chlorine or old pipes
• Residue or cloudiness caused by tank sediments
• Lack of awareness about tank cleaning requirements

But bottled water is not necessarily safer. In fact, some studies have found microplastics and less frequent testing in bottled brands than in Dubai’s tap water.

As we noted in

Dubai Tap Water vs Bottled Water: Which Is Safer for Drinking?, switching to filtered tap water is not only healthier — it’s more sustainable.

Best Practices for Daily Use

If you’re still hesitant, try this hybrid approach used by many residents:

• Use filtered DEWA water for drinking
• Use unfiltered tap water for cooking, bathing, and brushing teeth
• Schedule annual water tank cleaning through a licensed contractor
• Install a home filtration unit or faucet filter to improve taste

Final Verdict

DEWA water is clean, safe, and strictly monitored — making it suitable for daily consumption in Dubai homes. The only thing standing between you and drinkable tap water is your building’s maintenance and your personal filtration preferences.

So, instead of buying crates of bottled water each week, consider this:

Your tap water might actually be just fine. All you need to do is have faith in it and take care of it properly.

Updated on: July 21, 2025 5:28 pm GMT

Is It Safe to Drink Tap Water in Dubai? Everything You Need to Know

When you think of Dubai, luxury, innovation, and world-class infrastructure likely come to mind. But what about something as basic — yet essential — as tap water? Whether you’re a resident, tourist, or planning a move to the UAE, this question comes up often: Is it safe to drink tap water in Dubai?

Let’s dive deep into the facts, bust myths, and give you a clear, science-backed answer based on 2025 standards and expert insights.

 Short Answer: Yes, Dubai Tap Water Is Safe — Technically.

Dubai’s tap water is desalinated seawater, treated and distributed by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). According to DEWA, the water meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards and is safe for human consumption when it leaves the treatment facility.

However, there’s a but — and it’s a big one: the safety at your tap depends on the building’s water storage system.

How Dubai Tap Water is Made

Dubai doesn’t rely on natural freshwater sources. Instead, seawater from the Arabian Gulf is purified using reverse osmosis desalination, a process that removes salts and contaminants.

This water then goes through:

• Disinfection (usually with chlorine)
• Mineral rebalancing
• Stringent testing by DEWA labs

So when it leaves the plant, it’s clean, safe, and comparable to bottled water in terms of purity.

The Real Issue: Building Water Tanks

The concern about safety doesn’t lie with DEWA — it lies with how buildings store and maintain water.

In many older buildings or poorly managed residential complexes, rooftop water tanks may be:

• Dirty or rusty
• Not cleaned regularly
• Exposed to debris or insects

If not maintained, bacteria like Legionella can grow. That’s why many residents — and hotels — opt for filtered tap water or bottled water despite the technical safety of the water supply.

What Experts Say (2025 Update)

Water safety researchers in the UAE confirm that municipal tap water remains safe, but end-point quality (what comes out of your tap) varies by building.

“We encourage residents to ask property managers about the cleaning schedule of water tanks. Annual cleaning is the minimum standard in Dubai.”

— Dr. Ayesha Al Mansouri, Environmental Health Consultant

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can tourists drink tap water in Dubai?>

A: Technically, yes — but most hotels offer bottled water. You can brush your teeth with it safely (more on this in Can You Brush Your Teeth with Tap Water in Dubai).</span

Q: Is bottled water safer?

A: Not necessarily. Dubai’s tap water quality is high at the source. Bottled water just avoids storage-related issues in old buildings. We’ll compare both in Dubai Tap Water vs Bottled Wate 

Q: Are there harmful chemicals in Dubai’s water?

A: No, DEWA ensures the removal of all harmful substances and adheres to international standards for water quality.