Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Phnom Penh?
No, tap water in Phnom Penh is not safe to drink. The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) has significantly improved treatment capacity, but the distribution network and building plumbing still introduce contamination.
Water Source
Phnom Penh draws water from the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers at the Phum Prek and Chamkar Mon treatment plants. PPWSA has received international recognition for dramatic improvements in coverage and treatment quality since the 2000s.
Contaminants & Concerns
PPWSA’s treated water meets WHO guidelines at the plant — a remarkable achievement for Cambodia. However, the distribution network includes older pipes that can introduce contamination, and building-level plumbing in many properties is substandard. Non-revenue water losses (leaks) remain significant. During Tonle Sap River reversal season, raw water quality changes dramatically.
Tips
- •Use bottled water for drinking — available for about 1,000–2,000 riel per bottle throughout the city
- •PPWSA’s treatment is improving rapidly, but the last-mile pipe and building plumbing remain the weak link
- •Many hotels and restaurants use filtered or bottled water for cooking and ice — confirm at budget establishments
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