🇦🇪 City — United Arab Emirates Population: 1,800,000

Can I Drink Tap Water in Sharjah?

Q: What contaminants are in Sharjah tap water?

Monitored contaminants include: Lead (old premise plumbing, localized), Disinfection by-products (monitored), Residual chlorine/chloramine, Hardness/mineral content (regional variation). Sharjah’s tap water is generally safe to drink under United Arab Emirates standards. The supply is mainly a mix of surface and groundwater sources and is treated with filtration, chlorination, UV treatment. Most visitors can drink from the tap; bottled water is optional for taste.

Safe

4.9/5

Quick Answer

Tap water in Sharjah is safe to drink and regulated under United Arab Emirates’s national drinking water standards.

Sharjah’s tap water is generally safe to drink under United Arab Emirates standards. The supply is mainly a mix of surface and groundwater sources and is treated with filtration, chlorination, UV treatment. Most visitors can drink from the tap; bottled water is optional for taste.

Rankings & Comparisons

Safety Overview

Global rank #7 out of 152

Safety rating 4.9/5

Dataset average 3.8/5

Rank in United Arab Emirates #1 out of 3

United Arab Emirates average 4.5/5

Top Cities in United Arab Emirates

1 🇦🇪
Sharjah
4.9/5 Safe
2 🇦🇪
Abu Dhabi
4.9/5 Safe
3 🇦🇪
Dubai
3.8/5 Safe

Water Quality Details

Sharjah’s drinking water is supplied under United Arab Emirates’s national standards and monitored by local utilities and health authorities. The system draws primarily from a mix of surface and groundwater sources and uses filtration, chlorination, UV treatment 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 190 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 sourceMixed sources

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

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city
In older buildings, let the tap run for 10–20 seconds before drinking
Chill tap water to reduce any chlorine taste
Use an activated carbon pitcher if you prefer a milder taste
Carry a refillable bottle to avoid single-use plastics
Ice is generally safe in reputable restaurants and hotels

Bottled water~$1.2 USD (Everywhere)

Traveler Advice

Risk level: Low Diarrhea risk: Low

Sharjah 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 travelers can use tap water in United Arab Emirates without issues in normal conditions; practical concerns are usually local advisories or older plumbing.