🇧🇭 City — Bahrain Population: 147,074

Can I Drink Tap Water in Manama?

Safe
4.0/5
Quick Answer
Tap water in Manama is safe to drink and regulated under Bahrain’s national drinking water standards.
Manama’s tap water is generally safe to drink under Bahrain standards. The supply is mainly desalinated seawater and is treated with reverse osmosis, chlorination, filtration. Most visitors can drink from the tap; bottled water is optional for taste.
Rankings & Comparisons
Safety Overview
Global rank #82 out of 152
Safety rating 4.0/5
Dataset average 3.8/5
Rank in Bahrain #1 out of 1
Bahrain average 4.0/5
Top Cities in Bahrain
  1. 1 🇧🇭
    Manama
    4.0/5 Safe
Water Quality Details
Manama’s drinking water is supplied under Bahrain’s national standards and monitored by local utilities and health authorities. The system draws primarily from desalinated seawater and uses reverse osmosis, chlorination, filtration before distribution through the city network. Taste and mineral content can vary by neighborhood and building age, and the water is typically moderate with an estimated TDS around 220 mg/L. If you notice a chlorine or mineral taste, chilling the water or using an activated carbon filter can improve flavor without affecting safety.
Water sourceDesalination
TreatmentReverse Osmosis, Chlorination, Filtration
HardnessModerate
TDS220 ppm
Taste rating3/5
Taste notesdesalinated water taste · chlorine may be noticeable · building tanks can affect taste
Contaminant Data
Contaminant Measured Limit Status
Lead (premise plumbing or tanks, localized) — 0.01 mg/L
WHO
 OK
Storage tank contamination (poor maintenance) — — OK
Residual chlorine — — OK
Salinity/mineral taste (network or storage variation) — — OK
Practical Tips
🧊 Ice is safe 🪧 Brushing teeth safe 🍽 Restaurant water safe 🔥 Boiling effective 💧 Filter recommended
  1. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city
  2. In older buildings, let the tap run for 10–20 seconds before drinking
  3. Chill tap water to reduce any chlorine taste
  4. Use an activated carbon pitcher if you prefer a milder taste
  5. Carry a refillable bottle to avoid single-use plastics
  6. Ice is generally safe in reputable restaurants and hotels
Bottled water~$0.7 USD (Everywhere)
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Low Diarrhea risk: Low
Manama tap water is safe for most travelers. You can drink, brush teeth, and use ice in reputable restaurants and hotels. If you have a sensitive stomach or dislike mineral taste, opt for filtered or bottled water.
Most traveler concerns in Bahrain are taste- and storage-related, not citywide treatment failure; many people still prefer bottled water for taste.
  • Bahrain tap water is generally safe in normal conditions
  • If staying in an older building, ask about water tank maintenance
  • Use a simple filter if you dislike taste from desalination or chlorine
  • Check local notices during rare utility incidents
Sources & References
Government
CDC Travelers Health - Bahrain
Government
UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice - Bahrain (Health)
Official Report
World Bank API - Safely managed drinking water services (% of population) - Bahrain
Official Report
World Bank API - Basic drinking water services (% of population) - Bahrain
Data confidence: Medium Last updated: 2026-02-24