Generally Safe
Italy
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Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Genoa?
Generally yes, tap water in Genoa is safe to drink. Iren Acqua (Gruppo Iren) supplies the city with mountain spring and reservoir water that meets EU standards.
Hardness
Moderate
Country
Italy
Rating
Generally Safe
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
Genoa draws from mountain springs in the Ligurian Alps and surface-water reservoirs in the hills behind the city. The water has naturally oligomineral characteristics — relatively low mineral content for Italy.
Contaminants & Concerns
No major contamination at the source. Isolated lead findings in some older public fountains have been linked to ageing infrastructure rather than the supply itself. Old buildings may have legacy lead or copper pipes.
Tips
- •In very old buildings in the centro storico, run the tap for 30 seconds before drinking to flush pipes
- •Look for “acqua potabile” signs on public fountains — avoid any marked “non potabile”
- •Genoa’s water is notably softer than most Italian cities, making it pleasant to drink straight
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