Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Lombok?
No, tap water on Lombok is not safe to drink. PDAM Lombok (the local water utility) has limited treatment capacity and coverage, and much of the island relies on untreated well water.
Water Source
Lombok’s water comes from springs on Mount Rinjani’s slopes, shallow groundwater wells, and a few small treatment plants managed by PDAM. Coverage is limited, and many areas, particularly in the south and the Gili Islands, rely on private wells.
Contaminants & Concerns
Bacterial contamination is widespread due to lack of treatment infrastructure. Groundwater wells are often shallow and vulnerable to contamination from nearby septic systems. On the Gili Islands, saltwater intrusion and overuse have degraded the limited freshwater lens. E. coli and coliform bacteria are frequently detected.
Tips
- •Drink only bottled or purified water — available at warungs and minimarkets across the island
- •On the Gili Islands, many accommodations provide refillable purified water to reduce plastic waste — bring a reusable bottle
- •Avoid swallowing water while swimming in freshwater or near coastal outflows
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