Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Mumbai?
No, tap water in Mumbai is not safe to drink. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) treats water from lakes in the Sahyadri hills, but the city’s ageing and overburdened distribution system introduces contamination before it reaches household taps.
Water Source
Mumbai sources its water from seven lakes in the Western Ghats — Tansa, Upper and Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, Tulsi, and Modak Sagar — treated at the Bhandup Complex, one of Asia’s largest water treatment facilities, and at smaller plants at Panjrapur and Vehar.
Contaminants & Concerns
Treatment at Bhandup and other plants meets Indian standards, but the distribution network is severely compromised. Water mains dating to the British colonial era leak extensively, and illegal connections and cross-contamination with sewage lines are widespread. During monsoon season (June–September), flooding further contaminates the system. Bacterial contamination is routinely found in household tap samples.
Tips
- •Use sealed bottled water or an RO purifier for all drinking and teeth-brushing
- •Many Mumbai restaurants, even street food stalls, use purified water for cooking — but always ask about ice and drinks
- •During monsoon season, be extra vigilant as flooding dramatically increases contamination risk
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