Can you drink bathroom tap water in a UK hotel?

Asked by: Breanna Luettgen  |  Last update: January 31, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (11 votes)

Yes, UK tap water is generally very safe, but it's best to drink from the cold kitchen tap in a hotel for guaranteed safety; bathroom taps, especially in older buildings, might feed from loft tanks or have older pipes, potentially harboring bacteria or lead, so if you drink from the bathroom, run the cold tap first, check for "non-potable" signs, and prefer kitchen water if unsure.

Can I drink bathroom tap water in a UK hotel?

While the general consensus in the UK is that you should never drink water from your bathroom tap, it's strictly your personal choice.

Is hotel bathroom water ok to drink?

Yes it is. Tapwater in bathrooms is safe, in homes, hotel rooms and public places.

Can foreigners drink UK tap water?

Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in the UK. Not just ``technically safe'', but actually safe and pleasant to drink. More than 99.9% of the public water supply in the UK meets regulatory standards (in the US, it's 91%).

Is it safe to drink bathroom tap water in the UK reddit?

Pretty much all tap water in the UK is safe to drink yes, unless it says otherwise, which is normally done by labelling one of the taps as 'drinking water'.

Is it safe to drink bathroom tap water?

17 related questions found

Which area in the UK has the worst tap water?

A recent survey by Tapp Water ranked the best and worst areas in the UK for tap water taste. Scotland, Bristol, Leeds, Belfast, and Cardiff were rated as having the best-tasting water, while Norwich, Leicester, Southampton, London, and Birmingham ranked the worst.

Is water from the bathroom sink ok to drink?

Most experts advise against drinking bathroom sink water. Just because water from your bathroom tap comes from the same source as the rest of your house doesn't mean it takes the same journey. Bathroom water flows through plumbing that often gets far less use than the kitchen. That means more time for water to sit.

Which city has the cleanest tap water in the UK?

1. Dundee. Dundee takes the top spot, cementing its reputation as a leader in environmental health. The city scored exceptionally high for its air quality and drinking water quality, making it one of the healthiest places to live.

Is UK tap water no longer safe to drink?

Generally tap water in the UK is safe to drink unless your water provider tells you otherwise. To check on the quality of the water in your area visit this website. If there's a known issue in your area you will find out.

Why not to drink tap water in the UK NHS?

PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET ON WATER SAFETY What water is safe? Generally, British tap water is safe to drink. However, if your CD4 count is below 200, the safest option is to boil your drinking water (USPHS 1999). Boiling water is the most effective way of killing Cryptosporidium (www.epa.gov).

Can I drink Premier Inn bathroom tap water?

The Tapwater is perfectly safe. The TVs in the Premier Inn carry free to air TV channels. The kids one CBBC should be on channel 204. We left this weekend and I drank the tap water, even filled my bottles up for the day.

Who has the cleanest tap water in the USA?

There's no single "cleanest" spot, but Hawaii, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Alabama, and Washington consistently rank high for tap water quality, often due to great source protection, strict standards, or customer satisfaction, with cities like Des Moines (IA), Portland (OR), and New York City also praised for their pure, great-tasting water. The "best" varies by report, but states with strong source protection (aquifers in Hawaii) and proactive contaminant control (like Washington's PFAS program) fare well.
 

Should tourists drink tap water?

Know Where Your Drinking Water Comes From

Contaminated water can look clean but still have harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Factory-sealed bottled water is the safest option for most travelers.

Can I drink tap water in London Hotel Reddit?

London is a major city and the capital - of course we have safe drinking water! In some of the super fancy hotels, we even have electricity!! It's... it's a major city, it is one of the MOST major cities in the world. Yes, the tap water is safe to drink.

Is it worth filtering tap water in the UK?

Some are advising people to filter their water. However, it is not necessary to filter your tap water for any health reasons or because of any concerns around water quality. In the UK the quality of tap water is among the best in the world. Companies run 2.5 million strict tests on our drinking water every year.

Which country has the best tap water?

  • Switzerland. If you've ever been to Switzerland, it probably won't surprise you that the alpine nation is home to some of the world's cleanest tap water. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • United Kingdom. ...
  • New Zealand. ...
  • Singapore. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Scandinavia and Finland.

Can I drink tap water in a London hotel bathroom?

As we've stated, the sink in any hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or any other building in London should be safe to drink from. Most hotels also include a kettle and complimentary tea and coffee, so if the taste of regular tap water isn't for you, this is easily remedied.

How to tell if tap water is safe to drink?

To help you determine whether it's time to schedule an inspection, we've put together 7 signs your tap water might be contaminated.

  1. Unusual taste. ...
  2. Chlorine smell. ...
  3. Sulfur smell. ...
  4. A cloudy, foamy look. ...
  5. Low water pressure. ...
  6. Blackening, dirt, or sediments in the sink.
  7. Government advisories and boil warning.

Which country in the UK has the best tap water?

In Europe, Scotland was discovered to have the clearest tap water, with Redditors commenting on the quality of H2O in the nation's Highlands and lochs. Worldwide Scotland was the second-most mentioned place in the world, meaning it was only beaten to the top spot by one location, but it's not where you'd expect.

Is bottled water better than tap water in the UK?

Tap water undergoes more treatment than bottled water

It not only removes harmful bacteria at the treatment centre, but a residual amount of it will also do the same for the pipes that the water is carried through. Meanwhile, bottled waters do get treated, but there is a difference between mineral and spring.

Which UK city has the lowest crime rate?

Safest overall: Based on a 2024 crime-index study of 105 UK towns and cities, Harrogate, Wokingham, Chester, Sevenoaks and Horsham occupy the top five spots, with crime index scores between roughly 17 and 23 (lower scores indicate safer areas).

Why is Birmingham tap water so good?

The natural environment of the Elan Valley, with its low levels of pollution and natural filtration through the landscape, is key to the fresh and clean taste of Birmingham tap water. The long journey the water takes from this Welsh valley helps maintain its purity and soft quality and still serves the city today.

Do I really need to filter my tap water?

Water filters can improve the taste of water, the safety of water, or both. Test your water and choose a filter that removes the harmful germs or chemicals you are concerned about. If your tap water does not contain harmful germs or chemicals, you may not need a filter.

Can I drink water out of my bathroom faucet?

The safety of drinking water from your bathroom tap largely depends on the source of your home's water supply and the plumbing system. In most modern homes, the water comes from the same source that feeds kitchen taps, which are generally considered safe for drinking.

Is bathtub water the same as sink water?

It is all the same water. There can be different tastes from these waters because of different chemical and mineral buildups that occur in a shower and in a kitchen. But the water itself all comes from the same source.