Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Palau?

The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) treats water drawn largely from the Ngerimel Reservoir on Babeldaob Island, supplying Koror and Airai, Palau's main tourism and population hub.

Municipal water generally meets standards influenced by the U.S. Compact of Free Association relationship, but occasional turbidity spikes occur after heavy tropical rain. Outer states and remote islands lack piped treated supply and depend on rainwater catchment instead.

Koror, Airai, and the main dive and tourism areas around them have treated, generally safe tap water. Remote outer states like Kayangel, Peleliu, and Angaur, along with the uninhabited Rock Islands, rely on rainwater tanks with no formal treatment.

Moderate, roughly 60–120 mg/L, reflecting Palau's limestone and volcanic geology..

Yes, most residents of Koror and Airai drink treated municipal tap water without issue.

• •Palau's dive resorts and tourism operators, its main economic focus, typically provide filtered or bottled water for guests
• •Bring a reusable bottle — most hotels in Koror have safe filtered water stations
• •Ask outer-island guesthouses directly whether their water is treated or rainwater-only

• •Use bottled or treated water in outer states like Kayangel, Peleliu, and Angaur
• •Confirm water source at remote dive lodges and homestays before drinking tap water