Can I Drink Tap Water in São Paulo?
Caution
Quick Answer
Tap water in São Paulo is treated but best approached with caution for visitors. Many travelers prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking.
Tap water in São Paulo is treated to Brazil standards, but visitors should use caution. The supply is mainly a mix of surface and groundwater sources with chlorination, filtration, 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
#117 out of 152
Safety rating
3.1/5
Dataset average
3.8/5
Rank in Brazil
#1 out of 2
Brazil average
3.1/5
Top Cities in Brazil
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São PauloCaution
- 2 🇧🇷 Caution
Water Quality Details
São Paulo follows Brazil’s drinking water regulations, with supply primarily from a mix of surface and groundwater sources treated by chlorination, filtration, 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
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration, Flocculation
HardnessModerate
TDS250 ppm
Taste rating3/5
Taste notesquality varies widely by city and neighborhood · chlorine taste can be strong · building plumbing and storage tanks affect trust
Contaminant Data
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap
🪧 Use bottled for brushing
🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water
🔥 Boiling effective
💧 Filter recommended
- Use sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
- Avoid ice unless you know it was made with purified water
- Boil tap water for 1 minute if bottled water is unavailable
- Consider a bottle filter or UV purifier for day trips
- Stick to cooked foods from reputable vendors
- Ask restaurants if their water is filtered or treated
Bottled water~$0.6 USD (Everywhere)
Recommended filtersActivated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Bottle Filter
Traveler Advice
Risk level: Moderate
Diarrhea risk: Moderate
In São Paulo, 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.
Brazil has many cities with treated water, but country-level reliability is too variable for a blanket safe traveler recommendation.
- Prefer bottled or reliably filtered water for drinking
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth if unsure of local supply
- Avoid ice in low-turnover venues
- Be extra cautious in smaller towns and older buildings
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
Government
Data confidence: Medium
Last updated: 2026-02-24
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