Can I Drink Tap Water in Kolkata?
Unsafe
Quick Answer
Do not drink tap water in Kolkata. Use bottled or properly purified water for all drinking and brushing teeth.
Kolkata’s tap water is not recommended for drinking. While treatment exists, contamination risks and distribution variability mean visitors should rely on bottled or properly purified water for all consumption.
Rankings & Comparisons
Safety Overview
Global rank
#143 out of 152
Safety rating
1.5/5
Dataset average
3.8/5
Rank in India
#4 out of 8
India average
1.5/5
Water Quality Details
Tap water in Kolkata is treated, but local conditions and distribution issues mean it is not considered safe for visitors to drink. Risk levels are higher than typical international standards, and water quality can vary widely by neighborhood and building infrastructure.
Use sealed bottled water or properly treated water for all drinking, brushing teeth, and ice. For longer stays, a certified RO or UV filtration system is recommended.
Water sourceMixed sources
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration, Flocculation
HardnessVery Hard
TDS650 ppm
Taste rating2/5
Taste notesMetallic or earthy taste due to high iron and TDS · Strong chlorine taste in some municipal supplies · Brackish or salty in high-salinity groundwater regions
Contaminant Data
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap
🪧 Use bottled for brushing
🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water
🔥 Boiling effective
💧 Filter recommended
- Do not drink tap water; use sealed bottled or properly purified water
- Avoid ice and drinks made with tap water
- Brush teeth with bottled or filtered water
- Use a certified filter (RO/UV) for longer stays
- Avoid raw foods washed with tap water
- Boil water for at least 1 minute if you must use tap water
Bottled water~$0.25 USD (Everywhere)
Recommended filtersReverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon, Ceramic, Gravity
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Very high
Diarrhea risk: Very high
Kolkata tap water is not safe for drinking. Use bottled or properly purified water for all consumption and avoid ice unless you know it was made with purified water. Be cautious with raw foods washed in tap water.
Even long-term residents in India typically use RO-purified or bottled water. Travelers should never attempt to acclimate to Indian tap water as the contamination includes dangerous pathogens and heavy metals, not just unfamiliar microbes. Over 60% of travelers develop diarrhea during a two-week visit.
- Drink only sealed bottled water from reputable brands (Bisleri, Aquafina, Kinley)
- Never drink tap water, even in upscale hotels
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth and rinsing mouth
- Avoid ice in all drinks unless confirmed from purified water
- Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruits, and street food washed with tap water
- Carry oral rehydration salts (ORS) for diarrhea emergencies
- Consider hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations before travel
- Wash hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based sanitizer
- Carry water purification tablets as backup in rural areas
- Seek immediate medical attention for bloody diarrhea or persistent vomiting
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
- Drinking tap water can cause traveler’s diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness
- Avoid ice and raw foods washed with tap water
- Use bottled or properly purified water for all consumption
Sources & References
Government
Government
Official Report
Data confidence: Medium
Last updated: 2026-02-24
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