Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Agra?
No, tap water in Agra is not safe to drink. The Agra Jal Sansthan municipal supply draws from the heavily polluted Yamuna River and suffers from inconsistent treatment and ageing distribution pipes.
Water Source
Agra’s municipal water is sourced primarily from the Yamuna River via intake points upstream of the city, supplemented by groundwater borewells. Treatment plants at Sikandra and Jeoni Mandi provide basic chlorination and filtration, but capacity often falls short of demand.
Contaminants & Concerns
The Yamuna at Agra carries high levels of industrial effluent, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff from upstream. Bacterial contamination (E. coli, coliforms) is routinely detected in tap samples. Groundwater sources show elevated nitrates, fluoride, and in some zones arsenic.
Tips
- •Always drink sealed bottled water or use a reliable purifier — avoid tap water entirely
- •Use bottled water even for brushing teeth, especially near the Taj Mahal tourist area
- •Street-side ice and fresh juices made with tap water should be avoided
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
- •CDC Travelers' Health destination pages
- •The municipal water utility's published quality data