Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Zanzibar?
No, tap water in Zanzibar is not safe to drink. The Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) manages the supply on Unguja Island, but ageing infrastructure, intermittent service, and limited treatment capacity make the water unreliable for drinking.
Water Source
Zanzibar’s water on Unguja Island comes from groundwater boreholes, springs, and a limited number of surface sources, managed by the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA). Treatment is basic, typically limited to chlorination where it is applied at all, and many areas receive unchlorinated water.
Contaminants & Concerns
Bacterial contamination including E. coli and coliforms is frequently detected due to saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers, cross-contamination from pit latrines near boreholes, and insufficient chlorination. The coral-limestone geology makes aquifers highly porous and vulnerable to surface pollution.
Tips
- •Drink only sealed bottled water throughout Zanzibar — brands like Kilimanjaro and Uhai are widely available
- •Use bottled water for brushing teeth, especially in Stone Town where infrastructure is oldest
- •Most beach resorts in Nungwi and Kendwa provide purified drinking water for guests — confirm with staff
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