Can I Drink Tap Water in Benin?
Unsafe
Quick Answer
Tap water in Benin is unsafe to drink as a country-level traveler recommendation. Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/disinfected water for drinking and brushing teeth.
Tap water in Benin is unsafe to drink as a country-level traveler recommendation. Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/disinfected water for drinking and brushing teeth. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 17.7% safely managed drinking water services and 69.6% basic drinking water access. Benin has low safely managed drinking water coverage and limited basic access in many areas, which supports an unsafe country-level tap-water rating for travelers. Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/disinfected water at all times.
Water Quality Details
The gap between access and safe water service is severe, and sanitation/infrastructure constraints can create high pathogen risk at the point of use. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 17.7% safely managed drinking water services and 69.6% basic drinking water access. Even where piped supply exists, travelers should not assume water is safe without treatment. Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/disinfected water at all times.
Water sourceGroundwater
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration
HardnessModerate
TDS280 ppm
Taste rating1/5
Taste notesvariable and often poor · sediment may be present · storage contamination can affect odor and taste
Contaminant Data
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap
🪧 Use bottled for brushing
🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water
🔥 Boiling effective
💧 Filter recommended
- Drink only sealed bottled water or properly treated water
- Use safe water for brushing teeth and oral hygiene
- Drink only sealed bottled water
- Use bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth and oral hygiene
- Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
- Avoid raw foods washed in local water
Bottled water~$0.6 USD (Common)
Recommended filtersReverse Osmosis, Ceramic, Gravity, Bottle Filter
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Very high
Diarrhea risk: Very high
Tap water in Benin is unsafe to drink as a country-level traveler recommendation. Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/disinfected water for drinking and brushing teeth. Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/disinfected water at all times. Even where piped supply exists, travelers should not assume water is safe without treatment. When in doubt, bottled or properly treated water is the safer choice for drinking and dental hygiene.
Do not rely on acclimation in Benin. Risks include serious pathogens and sanitation-related contamination, not just minor digestive adjustment.
- Drink only sealed bottled water
- Use bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth and oral hygiene
- Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
- Avoid raw foods washed in local water
- Carry oral rehydration salts and backup purification supplies
- Seek medical care early for severe diarrhea, dehydration, or fever
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
- High risk of diarrheal disease from unsafe water and sanitation
- Young children and vulnerable travelers face high dehydration risk
Sources & References
Government
Data confidence: Low
Last updated: 2026-02-23