🇿🇦 City — South Africa Population: 9,418,183

Can I Drink Tap Water in Johannesburg?

Caution
3.3/5
Quick Answer
Tap water in Johannesburg is treated but best approached with caution for visitors. Many travelers prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking.
Tap water in Johannesburg is treated to South Africa standards, but visitors should use caution. The supply is mainly a mix of surface and groundwater sources with filtration, chlorination, coagulation/flocculation, and water quality can vary by building or neighborhood. Many travelers choose bottled or filtered water for drinking.
Rankings & Comparisons
Safety Overview
Global rank #111 out of 152
Safety rating 3.3/5
Dataset average 3.8/5
Rank in South Africa #1 out of 1
South Africa average 3.3/5
Top Cities in South Africa
  1. 1 🇿🇦
    Johannesburg
    3.3/5 Caution
Water Quality Details
Johannesburg follows South Africa’s drinking water regulations, with supply primarily from a mix of surface and groundwater sources treated by filtration, chlorination, coagulation/flocculation. While treatment is in place, quality can vary at the building level due to storage tanks or older plumbing, and this can affect taste and consistency. Visitors are generally advised to use bottled or properly filtered water for drinking and to be cautious with ice. If you need to use tap water, boiling for at least one minute provides an extra safety margin.
Water sourceMixed sources
TreatmentFiltration, Chlorination, Flocculation
HardnessModerate
TDS240 ppm
Taste rating2/5
Taste notesquality can vary by municipality and building · chlorine or mineral taste may be noticeable · service interruptions can affect clarity or taste
Contaminant Data
Contaminant Measured Limit Status
Coliform bacteria (localized system/building issues) — 0
WHO
 Exceeds
Nitrate (rural/private supplies) — 50 mg/L
WHO
 Exceeds
Lead/plumbing metals (older buildings, localized) — 0.01 mg/L
WHO
 Exceeds
Turbidity during service interruptions — — Exceeds
Residual chlorine/chloramine — — OK
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap 🪧 Use bottled for brushing 🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water 🔥 Boiling effective 💧 Filter recommended
  1. Use sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
  2. Avoid ice unless you know it was made with purified water
  3. Boil tap water for 1 minute if bottled water is unavailable
  4. Consider a bottle filter or UV purifier for day trips
  5. Stick to cooked foods from reputable vendors
  6. Ask restaurants if their water is filtered or treated
Bottled water~$0.9 USD (Everywhere)
Recommended filtersActivated Carbon, Bottle Filter, Reverse Osmosis
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Moderate Diarrhea risk: Moderate
In Johannesburg, it’s best to use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth, especially during short visits. Ice may be unsafe unless made with purified water. If you’re staying longer, consider a reliable filter or UV purifier.
Tap-water reliability can vary within South Africa, so travelers usually reduce risk by using bottled or properly filtered water when conditions are uncertain.
  • Prefer bottled or well-filtered water for drinking when uncertain
  • Use bottled or filtered water for brushing teeth if water quality is unclear
  • Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
  • Be more cautious outside major urban areas or established hotels
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
  • Tap water can cause stomach upset for some visitors
  • Ice may be unsafe unless made from purified water
  • Young children and immunocompromised travelers should be extra cautious
Sources & References
Official Report
World Bank API - Safely managed drinking water services (% of population) - South Africa
Official Report
World Bank API - Basic drinking water services (% of population) - South Africa
Official Report
World Bank API - Population, total - South Africa
Official Report
WHO - Drinking-water (Fact sheet)
Data confidence: Medium Last updated: 2026-02-24