Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Delhi?
No, tap water in Delhi is not safe to drink. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) supplies treated water from the Yamuna River and Bhakra reservoir system, but severe distribution losses and contamination make it unsafe at the tap.
Water Source
Delhi’s water comes from the Yamuna River (via Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Haiderpur treatment plants), the Upper Ganga Canal, and the Bhakra reservoir system. The city’s nine treatment plants have a combined capacity of over 900 million gallons per day.
Contaminants & Concerns
The Yamuna River entering Delhi is already heavily polluted with upstream sewage and industrial waste. While treatment plants produce water meeting standards, the distribution network loses 40–50% of water to leaks, and negative pressure events allow sewage and groundwater contamination to enter the pipes. Bacterial contamination, heavy metals, and high TDS levels are commonly detected at household taps.
Tips
- •Use only RO-purified or sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
- •Most restaurants in tourist areas use RO water for cooking and ice, but confirm before ordering
- •Carry a reusable bottle with a built-in purifier when sightseeing at Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and other monuments
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