🇲🇻 Country Population: 527,799

Can I Drink Tap Water in Maldives?

Safe
4.9/5
Quick Answer
Tap water in Maldives is generally safe to drink in normal conditions.
Tap water in Maldives is generally safe to drink in normal conditions. World Bank 2024 data indicate about 99.8% basic drinking water access in Maldives. A recent safely managed estimate is not available in this World Bank series. Tap water in Maldives is generally safe for drinking, brushing teeth, and ice in normal conditions. Check local advisories during rare utility incidents, and be more cautious in very old buildings or immediately after service disruptions.
Water Quality Details
Country-level drinking-water infrastructure and regulation in Maldives are generally strong, although local advisories can still occur after maintenance, weather events, or isolated contamination incidents. World Bank 2024 data indicate about 99.8% basic drinking water access in Maldives. A recent safely managed estimate is not available in this World Bank series. National coverage indicators do not guarantee identical point-of-use quality in every building, so older plumbing and local utility notices still matter for travelers. Most travelers can use tap water normally, while checking local advisories if they are visiting remote areas or hear of a temporary boil-water notice.
Water sourceDesalination
TreatmentFiltration, Chlorination, UV Treatment
HardnessModerate
TDS190 ppm
Taste rating4/5
Taste notesgenerally good municipal water quality · regional mineral variation is possible · older building plumbing can affect taste
Contaminant Data
Contaminant Measured Limit Status
Lead (old premise plumbing, localized) — 0.01 mg/L
WHO
 OK
Disinfection by-products (monitored) — — OK
Residual chlorine/chloramine — — OK
Hardness/mineral content (regional variation) — — OK
Practical Tips
🧊 Ice is safe 🪧 Brushing teeth safe 🍽 Restaurant water safe 🔥 Boiling not needed 💧 No filter needed
  1. Tap water is generally safe in normal conditions
  2. Check local utility or hotel notices during rare service incidents
  3. Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking in older buildings
  4. Flush water briefly if the tap has been unused for long periods
Bottled water~$1.4 USD (Everywhere)
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Low Diarrhea risk: Low
Tap water in Maldives is generally safe for drinking, brushing teeth, and ice in normal conditions. Check local advisories during rare utility incidents, and be more cautious in very old buildings or immediately after service disruptions.
Most travelers can use tap water in Maldives without issues in normal conditions; practical concerns are usually local advisories or older plumbing.
  • Maldives tap water is generally safe in normal conditions
  • Check local advisories during rare utility incidents
  • Use only cold tap water for drinking/cooking in older buildings
Sources & References
Official Report
World Bank API - Safely managed drinking water services (% of population) - Maldives
Official Report
World Bank API - Basic drinking water services (% of population) - Maldives
Official Report
World Bank API - Population, total - Maldives
Official Report
WHO - Drinking-water (Fact sheet)
Data confidence: Low Last updated: 2026-02-23