Safe
Spain
·
Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Málaga?
Yes, tap water in Málaga is safe to drink. EMASA (Empresa Municipal Aguas de Málaga) manages the supply and tested over 258,000 quality parameters in a recent year.
Hardness
Hard to very hard
Country
Spain
Rating
Safe
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
Málaga draws from the Guadalhorce River reservoir system, treated at the El Atabal, Pilones, and El Limonero plants. During droughts, desalinated seawater supplements the supply.
Contaminants & Concerns
No significant health concerns. EMASA conducts extensive testing. The main issue is taste — very hard water combined with chlorine and occasional desalination blending produces a strong mineral flavour.
Tips
- •A portable carbon-filter bottle dramatically improves the taste and is worth carrying
- •The water is safe despite the strong taste — hardness and chlorine affect flavour, not safety
- •In summer and drought periods, desalinated water is blended in, which can change the taste profile
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