Is the European tap water quality enough to drink?
“Water is the source of life and health. Water is essential for life. Their quality is closely related to living standards and the health status of a country. – EU Drinking Water Directive”
Drinking water is considered good quality when it is safe and clean;
i..e when it does not contain pathogens or contaminants at levels capable of adversely affecting the health of consumers microorganisms. Water management presents great complexity, so normally involves many actors, such as municipalities, supplier firms, control laboratories and health administrations. They seek to ensure that the supply of drinking water is good quality, no health risks, easily accessible and available in the required quantity.
Europe generally supplies high quality and rigorous monitoring systems and analytical control, which allow water to arrive in good condition to our homes and be consumed safely. However, despite all good intentions and ambitions by the EU and individual countries the quality varies a lot. For more detailed information on the water quality in your country visit your local department responsible for drinking water or visit the website drinking water in EU Member States. For example discoverwater.co.uk in the UK.
Here’s a short video about drinking water in Europe:
Source: Official Drinking Water Directive implementation web sites of the EU Member States.
To find more information regarding the European tap water or simply about the water you consume in your town, city or region the Water Quality Report section of this website provides lots of insights. Our country and city guides provide a basic understanding of the tap water and its components. Reading the local water report is difficult but might lead to a better understanding. You will also find other relevant information such as the filtering technologies.
