🇨🇫 Country Population: 5,330,690

Can I Drink Tap Water in Central African Republic?

Unsafe
1.2/5
Quick Answer
Tap water in Central African Republic is not reliably safe for travelers and should be treated or avoided.
Tap water in Central African Republic is not reliably safe for travelers and should be treated or avoided. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 6.2% safely managed drinking water services and 36.5% basic drinking water access. Do not rely on untreated tap water in Central African Republic. Use sealed bottled water or correctly treated water for drinking and brushing teeth, avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed, and be cautious with foods washed in local water.
Water Quality Details
Central African Republic has significant reliability gaps for consistently safe drinking water at the point of use, especially outside controlled facilities. World Bank 2024/2024 estimates indicate about 6.2% safely managed drinking water services and 36.5% basic drinking water access. Even where water is piped, treatment consistency, sanitation conditions, distribution losses, and storage contamination can create substantial microbial risk. UK FCDO travel health guidance supports taking routine food-and-water precautions and checking current conditions before and during travel. Travelers should use sealed bottled water or correctly treated water for drinking, brushing teeth, and ice-sensitive beverages.
Water sourceMixed sources
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration
HardnessModerate
TDS320 ppm
Taste rating1/5
Taste notesquality is often variable · sediment or turbidity may be present · storage and distribution conditions can affect taste and odor
Contaminant Data
Contaminant Measured Limit Status
E. coli and coliform bacteria — 0
WHO
 Exceeds
Sewage contamination — — Exceeds
Turbidity and sediment — — Exceeds
Nitrate (localized wells) — 50 mg/L
WHO
 Exceeds
Residual chlorine (inconsistent) — — Exceeds
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap 🪧 Use bottled for brushing 🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water 🔥 Boiling effective 💧 Filter recommended
  1. Drink only sealed bottled water or properly treated water
  2. Use safe water for brushing teeth
  3. Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
  4. Avoid raw foods washed with local tap water
Bottled water~$0.7 USD (Limited)
Recommended filtersReverse Osmosis, Ceramic, Gravity, Bottle Filter
Traveler Advice
Risk level: High Diarrhea risk: High
Do not rely on untreated tap water in Central African Republic. Use sealed bottled water or correctly treated water for drinking and brushing teeth, avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed, and be cautious with foods washed in local water.
Travelers should not rely on acclimation to local tap water in Central African Republic; use bottled or correctly treated water consistently.
  • Drink only sealed bottled water or properly treated water
  • Use safe water for brushing teeth
  • Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
  • Avoid raw foods washed with local tap water
  • Carry oral rehydration salts and backup purification when possible
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
  • Higher risk of waterborne gastrointestinal illness if using untreated tap water
Sources & References
Government
UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice - Central African Republic (Health)
Official Report
World Bank API - Safely managed drinking water services (% of population) - Central African Republic
Official Report
World Bank API - Basic drinking water services (% of population) - Central African Republic
Official Report
World Bank API - Population, total - Central African Republic
Data confidence: Low Last updated: 2026-02-23