Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Egypt?
No, tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink, including in Cairo and along the Nile. Bottled water is standard practice for both travelers and most residents.
Water Source
Water is drawn primarily from the Nile River and treated by regional utilities, but aging infrastructure and heavy agricultural/industrial runoff into the Nile create ongoing quality challenges.
Contaminants & Concerns
Bacterial contamination and elevated levels of agricultural runoff byproducts are common concerns; "Pharaoh's Revenge" traveler's diarrhea is frequently linked to tap water and unwashed produce.
Regional Variations
Not safe anywhere, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Red Sea resort towns like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.
Water Hardness
Hard, commonly 200–300+ mg/L due to Nile mineral content and regional geology..
Do Locals Drink Tap Water?
Many Egyptians boil water or use bottled water rather than drinking directly from the tap, especially outside major cities.
Tips for Travelers
- •Bottled water is cheap and universally available — always check the seal
- •Use bottled water for brushing teeth
- •Avoid ice and fresh juices from street vendors unless from a reputable establishment
Recommended Precautions
- •Drink only sealed bottled water
- •Avoid ice and tap water for brushing teeth
- •Wash produce with bottled or purified water
Cities in Egypt
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
- •WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP)
- •National and municipal water utility public quality reports