Generally Safe
Chile
·
Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Santiago?
Yes, tap water in Santiago is generally safe to drink. Aguas Andinas supplies the city from the Maipo River fed by Andean meltwater, treated to Chilean NCh 409 standards.
Hardness
Moderate to hard
Country
Chile
Rating
Generally Safe
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
Aguas Andinas supplies Santiago from the Maípo River and its tributaries, fed by Andean snowmelt and glacial runoff. The water is treated at modern plants to Chilean standard NCh 409 before distribution.
Contaminants & Concerns
No significant health concerns under normal conditions. The water is noticeably hard and chlorinated. Occasional turbidity episodes occur after heavy Andean rainfall or volcanic activity upstream.
Tips
- •Santiago tap water is safe to drink and most locals consume it daily
- •A carbon filter can improve the chlorinated taste if you find it strong
- •After heavy rains the water may appear briefly cloudy — this is sediment from Andean runoff and clears quickly
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