Can I Drink Tap Water in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Caution
Quick Answer
Tap water in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires caution for travelers.
Tap water in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires caution for travelers. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 86.4% safely managed drinking water services and 96.1% basic drinking water access. Bosnia and Herzegovina has relatively strong coverage overall, but tap-water reliability and traveler confidence can vary by municipality and building. Travelers often reduce uncertainty by using bottled or properly filtered water outside major hotels.
Water Quality Details
Coverage indicators are fairly strong, but they do not guarantee identical treatment and distribution quality everywhere. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 86.4% safely managed drinking water services and 96.1% basic drinking water access. Older plumbing, local maintenance, and rural/private supplies can change tap quality at the point of use. Travelers often reduce uncertainty by using bottled or properly filtered water outside major hotels.
Water sourceMixed sources
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration, Flocculation
HardnessModerate
TDS230 ppm
Taste rating3/5
Taste notesquality varies by municipality and building · chlorine/mineral taste possible · older plumbing may affect taste
Contaminant Data
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap
🪧 Use bottled for brushing
🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water
🔥 Boiling effective
💧 Filter recommended
- Prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking outside major hotels
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth if supply quality is uncertain
- Avoid ice in low-turnover venues
- Ask hosts whether water is municipal supply or private source
Bottled water~$0.5 USD (Everywhere)
Recommended filtersActivated Carbon, Bottle Filter, Reverse Osmosis
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Moderate
Diarrhea risk: Moderate
Tap water in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires caution for travelers. Travelers often reduce uncertainty by using bottled or properly filtered water outside major hotels. Older plumbing, local maintenance, and rural/private supplies can change tap quality at the point of use. When in doubt, bottled or properly treated water is the safer choice for drinking and dental hygiene.
Many urban areas may have acceptable tap water, but countrywide traveler reliability is mixed, so caution is the safer default.
- Prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth if supply quality is uncertain
- Avoid ice in low-turnover venues
- Be cautious in rural areas and small towns
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
- Traveler diarrhea risk increases when relying on uncertain local tap water
Sources & References
Official Report
Official Report
Data confidence: Medium
Last updated: 2026-02-23