Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Marshall Islands?

Majuro's main water supply comes from a rainwater catchment system built around the airport runway, feeding a reservoir, supplemented by household rainwater tanks and a limited, saline-vulnerable groundwater lens across the atoll's narrow islets.

Rainwater catchment systems can develop bacterial contamination if tanks and gutters are poorly maintained, and the shallow groundwater lens is vulnerable to saltwater intrusion and contamination from cesspits. The 2013 drought highlighted how quickly supply can become unsafe or run out entirely.

Majuro and Ebeye, the two main urban atolls, have the most developed catchment and limited desalination backup, but supply is still inconsistent, particularly during dry periods. Outer atolls have even less infrastructure and depend almost entirely on household rain tanks.

Low mineral content since most supply originates as rainwater, generally under 30 mg/L..

Many Marshallese households rely on rainwater catchment tanks and commonly boil or treat water before drinking due to contamination and drought risk.

• •Always boil or filter tap and tank water before drinking, even in Majuro
• •Carry bottled water as backup, especially during the dry season from roughly December to April
• •Be aware the Marshall Islands has experienced serious drought-driven water shortages, most notably in 2013

• •Boil or filter all tap and catchment water before drinking
• •Stock extra bottled water during drought periods when supply can be rationed or cut