Caution
Colombia
·
Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Medellín?
No, travelers should exercise caution with tap water in Medellín. EPM treats the water well at the plant, but distribution system variability means bottled water is the safer choice for visitors.
Hardness
Soft to moderate
Country
Colombia
Rating
Caution
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
EPM (Empresas Públicas de Medellín) supplies the city from mountain reservoirs and rivers in the surrounding Aburrá Valley, treated at modern facilities to Colombian drinking water standards.
Contaminants & Concerns
Treatment at the plant meets national standards, but older sections of the distribution network can introduce sediment and bacteria. Quality varies by neighborhood and building age.
Tips
- •Bottled water is recommended for travelers, even though some locals drink the tap water
- •If you choose to drink tap water, let the cold tap run for 30 seconds first
- •In newer buildings in El Poblado and Laureles, tap water quality tends to be better than in older districts
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