Is tap water in Portugal safe to drink? What are the main issues/concerns with the water? Is bottled water better than tap? What is the best water filter for Portugal?
In this article we will answer these questions and more about tap water in Portugal and why you should consider using a water filter in Portugal.
Here's a more in-depth analysis of tap and bottled water in Portugal.
Tap water in Portugal
Tap water in Portugal: Yes, it is generally safe to drink in urban and touristic areas. However, before Portugal joined the EU there were lots of issues with the water infrastructure and therefore many people still prefer bottled water. Public water is regulated by ERSAR - the Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority - and delivered by local municipal water companies. All are strictly bound to and inspected in accordance with the EU drinking water directive, and thus comply with international water quality standards. In 2005 there were several reports of issues with coliforms and faecal coliforms in the tap water during an EU inspection, but by 2015 98.7% of public water was reported safe . More in-depth information about coliforms here .Actually, Portugal is now among the top countries in Europe when it comes to making test results of drinking water available to citizens. The reports for local tap water (updated at least every 3 months) are available online here.
With of 114 litres per capita of bottled water per year, Portugal is among the top countries in Europe in terms of bottled water consumption. There are lots of great local brands such as Luso by SCC, as well as other brands such as Pedras, Vidago, Vitalis and Frize. Generally these are marketed as mineral water. Although perceived as the safest and healthiest choice, the risk of getting sick from bottled water is probably similar to public tap water since both are extensively tested.Unfortunately, Portugal has one of the worst recycling rates in Europe with approximately 10% of the plastic waste being recycled. Therefore, it is recommended to either buy water on glass bottles or avoid bottled water entirely. If you prefer sparkling water, then you can get a soda maker like SodaStream.
Drinking water in restaurants
When you ask for water in restaurants they normally serve bottled water, but it's fine to ask for tap water in a jar. Also, the good news is that thanks to recent regulation, restaurants are obliged to only use glass bottles, which is much better for the environment.
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