🇸🇸 Country Population: 11,943,408

Can I Drink Tap Water in South Sudan?

Unsafe
1.5/5
Quick Answer
Tap water in South Sudan is not reliably safe for travelers and should be treated or avoided.
Tap water in South Sudan is not reliably safe for travelers and should be treated or avoided. World Bank 2024 data indicate about 39.7% basic drinking water access in South Sudan. A recent safely managed estimate is not available in this World Bank series. Do not rely on untreated tap water in South Sudan. Use sealed bottled water or correctly treated water for drinking and brushing teeth, avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed, and be cautious with foods washed in local water.
Water Quality Details
South Sudan has significant reliability gaps for consistently safe drinking water at the point of use, especially outside controlled facilities. World Bank 2024 data indicate about 39.7% basic drinking water access in South Sudan. A recent safely managed estimate is not available in this World Bank series. Even where water is piped, treatment consistency, sanitation conditions, distribution losses, and storage contamination can create substantial microbial risk for travelers. Travelers should use sealed bottled water or correctly treated water for drinking and brushing teeth and avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed.
Water sourceMixed sources
TreatmentChlorination, Filtration
HardnessModerate
TDS320 ppm
Taste rating1/5
Taste notesquality is often variable · sediment or turbidity may be present · storage and distribution conditions can affect taste and odor
Contaminant Data
Contaminant Measured Limit Status
E. coli and coliform bacteria — 0
WHO
 Exceeds
Sewage contamination — — Exceeds
Turbidity and sediment — — Exceeds
Nitrate (localized wells) — 50 mg/L
WHO
 Exceeds
Residual chlorine (inconsistent) — — Exceeds
Practical Tips
🧊 Avoid ice from tap 🪧 Use bottled for brushing 🍽 Avoid restaurant tap water 🔥 Boiling effective 💧 Filter recommended
  1. Drink only sealed bottled water or properly treated water
  2. Use safe water for brushing teeth
  3. Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
  4. Avoid raw foods washed with local tap water
Bottled water~$0.8 USD (Limited)
Recommended filtersReverse Osmosis, Ceramic, Gravity, Bottle Filter
Traveler Advice
Risk level: High Diarrhea risk: High
Do not rely on untreated tap water in South Sudan. Use sealed bottled water or correctly treated water for drinking and brushing teeth, avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed, and be cautious with foods washed in local water.
Travelers should not rely on acclimation to local tap water in South Sudan; use bottled or correctly treated water consistently.
  • Drink only sealed bottled water or properly treated water
  • Use safe water for brushing teeth
  • Avoid ice unless purified water is confirmed
  • Avoid raw foods washed with local tap water
  • Carry oral rehydration salts and backup purification when possible
Health Warnings
⚠ Health Warnings
  • Higher risk of waterborne gastrointestinal illness if using untreated tap water
Sources & References
Official Report
World Bank API - Safely managed drinking water services (% of population) - South Sudan
Official Report
World Bank API - Basic drinking water services (% of population) - South Sudan
Official Report
World Bank API - Population, total - South Sudan
Official Report
WHO - Drinking-water (Fact sheet)
Data confidence: Low Last updated: 2026-02-23