Safe Italy · Last reviewed: August 28, 2026

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Florence?

Q: Is Florence tap water safe to drink?

Yes, it is safe and managed by Publiacqua to EU standards, sourced from the Arno basin and local springs.

Q: Are Florence's public fountains safe?

Yes, public drinking fountains (fontanelle) in Florence run treated municipal water and are safe to drink from.

Q: Why does Florence water taste different from Rome's?

Florence draws from Arno River basin sources with different mineral profiles than Rome's Apennine mountain springs, resulting in different taste characteristics.

Yes, tap water in Florence is safe to drink, managed by Publiacqua and sourced from the Arno River basin and Apennine springs, meeting all EU drinking water standards.

Hardness

Hard

Country

Italy

Rating

Safe

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very Hard

Water Source

Publiacqua supplies Florence from a combination of Arno River basin treatment plants and natural springs in the surrounding Apennine hills, treated to EU Drinking Water Directive standards.

Contaminants & Concerns

No significant health concerns. The water is hard due to the limestone and clay geology of the Arno basin, which affects taste and causes limescale but is not a health issue.

Tips

•Public drinking fountains (fontanelle) throughout the historic center provide safe tap water
•Ask for "acqua del rubinetto" at restaurants for free tap water
•A filter pitcher can improve the taste if you are sensitive to hard water minerals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florence tap water safe to drink?

Are Florence's public fountains safe?

Why does Florence water taste different from Rome's?

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

Other Cities in Italy

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