Can I Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?
Unsafe
Quick Answer
Tap water in Cambodia is unsafe to drink as a general traveler recommendation.
Tap water in Cambodia is unsafe to drink as a general traveler recommendation. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 30.0% safely managed drinking water services and 82.8% basic drinking water access. Cambodia has a large gap between basic and safely managed drinking water coverage, which supports an unsafe traveler recommendation for tap water. Use bottled or properly treated water for drinking and dental hygiene throughout Cambodia.
Water Quality Details
Many households have access to water, but not consistently safe and reliably managed water at the point of use. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 30.0% safely managed drinking water services and 82.8% basic drinking water access. Urban hotels may have better-managed water, but countrywide traveler risk remains high without filtration/boiling or bottled water. Use bottled or properly treated water for drinking and dental hygiene throughout Cambodia.
Water sourceSurface water
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration
HardnessModerate
TDS220 ppm
Taste rating2/5
Taste notesquality varies widely · chlorine and sediment may be noticeable · local storage can affect taste
Contaminant Data
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap
🪧 Use bottled for brushing
🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water
🔥 Boiling effective
💧 Filter recommended
- Use sealed bottled water or properly treated water for drinking
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth
- Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
- Avoid raw produce washed with tap water
Bottled water~$0.5 USD (Everywhere)
Recommended filtersActivated Carbon, Ceramic, Bottle Filter, Reverse Osmosis
Traveler Advice
Risk level: High
Diarrhea risk: High
Tap water in Cambodia is unsafe to drink as a general traveler recommendation. Use bottled or properly treated water for drinking and dental hygiene throughout Cambodia. Urban hotels may have better-managed water, but countrywide traveler risk remains high without filtration/boiling or bottled water. When in doubt, bottled or properly treated water is the safer choice for drinking and dental hygiene.
Travelers should treat Cambodia tap water as unsafe by default and use bottled or properly treated water consistently.
- Use sealed bottled water or properly boiled/filtered water for drinking
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth
- Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
- Avoid raw produce washed with tap water
- Carry oral rehydration salts and backup purification
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
- Higher traveler diarrhea risk from untreated local water
Sources & References
Government
Official Report
Data confidence: Low
Last updated: 2026-02-23