Can I Drink Tap Water in Burundi?
Unsafe
Quick Answer
Tap water in Burundi is unsafe to drink as a general traveler recommendation.
Tap water in Burundi is unsafe to drink as a general traveler recommendation. World Bank data indicates about 65.9% basic drinking water access (2024), while the same series does not currently return a recent safely managed drinking water value. Burundi has limited basic drinking water coverage and significant infrastructure challenges, supporting an unsafe traveler recommendation for tap water. Use bottled or correctly treated water for drinking and dental hygiene at all times.
Water Quality Details
Water access and safe treatment reliability remain constrained in many areas. World Bank data indicates about 65.9% basic drinking water access (2024), while the same series does not currently return a recent safely managed drinking water value. Even where water is available, quality may change during distribution and storage. Use bottled or correctly treated water for drinking and dental hygiene at all times.
Water sourceGroundwater
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration
HardnessModerate
TDS280 ppm
Taste rating1/5
Taste notesvariable quality · sediment risk · storage handling 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 boil/disinfect water before use
- Use safe water for brushing teeth
- Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
- Carry purification tablets and oral rehydration salts
Bottled water~$0.7 USD (Limited)
Recommended filtersReverse Osmosis, Ceramic, Gravity, Bottle Filter
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Very high
Diarrhea risk: Very high
Tap water in Burundi is unsafe to drink as a general traveler recommendation. Use bottled or correctly treated water for drinking and dental hygiene at all times. Even where water is available, quality may change during distribution and storage. When in doubt, bottled or properly treated water is the safer choice for drinking and dental hygiene.
Travelers should not attempt to acclimate to local tap water in Burundi due to high pathogen risk and infrastructure variability.
- Drink only sealed bottled water where available, otherwise boil/disinfect
- Use safe water for brushing teeth
- Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
- Avoid raw foods washed with local water
- Carry purification tablets and oral rehydration salts
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
- High risk of waterborne gastrointestinal illness
Sources & References
Government
Data confidence: Low
Last updated: 2026-02-23