Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Mexico City?
No, tap water in Mexico City is not safe to drink. The city water agency supplies the city from the Cutzamala system and groundwater wells, but aging pipes and subsidence damage compromise water quality before it reaches the tap.
Water Source
The city water agency SEGIAGUA (formerly SACMEX) supplies the capital from the Cutzamala aqueduct system and deep groundwater wells. Land subsidence from over-extraction has damaged pipes throughout the distribution network.
Contaminants & Concerns
Bacterial contamination from cracked and leaking pipes is common. Heavy metals, sediment, and residual chlorine levels vary widely by neighborhood due to infrastructure damage caused by subsidence.
Tips
- •Buy garrafones (20-liter purified water jugs) from trusted brands like Bonafont or Ciel for daily use
- •Use purified water for brushing teeth as well as drinking
- •Street food vendors typically use purified water for ice and drinks, but confirm before consuming
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