In Spain, tap water is drinkable in almost the entire country. According to data from the Ministry of Health, more than 99% of the supplied water meets European quality standards. However, factors such as taste, hardness and the presence of chlorine lead many consumers to choose alternatives like bottled water or domestic water filters.
Below, we explain how water quality varies by region, which elements influence its taste, and how you can improve it if you’re not satisfied.
Is tap water in Spain safe?
Yes. Tap water in Spain is considered safe for human consumption. It complies with the European Drinking Water Directive and is subject to regular monitoring by local health authorities and the Ministry of Health.
In addition, monitoring systems such as SINAC (the National Drinking Water Information System) publish periodic analyses and allow users to check water quality by municipality.
Why is there mistrust of tap water?
Although tap water is safe today, public perception has been shaped by previous decades. Before 1986, when Spain joined the EU, many water supply infrastructures had not yet been modernised. Some coastal areas lacked advanced filtration systems, which contributed to public mistrust.
This historical context, combined with the growth of tourism and the rise of bottled water, reinforced the idea that tap water was not advisable, especially in coastal regions.
How has water quality improved in Spain?
Between 1986 and 2008, Spain received more than €20 billion in European funds to modernise its water infrastructure. Today, the country has one of the most advanced water management systems in the world, both for drinking water and wastewater treatment.
As a result, virtually all water supplied to households is fit for consumption, although there can be noticeable differences in taste and hardness.
Areas with the best tap water in Spain
Some regions stand out for offering particularly light, soft and good-tasting water:
- Burgos: Considered the best in the country according to OCU studies.
- San Sebastián: Excellent water quality with low mineral content.
- Madrid: Supplied by the Canal de Isabel II system, with a strong reputation.
- León, Oviedo, Bilbao: Other northern cities with soft, pleasant-tasting water.
Areas where tap water has a poorer taste
Although the water is drinkable, in some areas its taste may be less pleasant due to factors such as high chlorine levels or hardness:
- Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante, Murcia: High mineral content and limescale.
- Palma de Mallorca: Historical quality issues, although conditions have improved.
- Ciudad Real: Has recorded trihalomethane levels close to the legal limit in the past.
In these cases, using filters such as EcoPro by Tappwater helps improve taste by removing chlorine, limescale and other substances that affect the water’s organoleptic properties.
How can you check the quality of water in your area?
You can check the quality of tap water in your locality through the SINAC portal (sinac.mscbs.gob.es), where analyses carried out by water operators in each municipality are published.
There you can find information about the water source, chlorine levels, hardness and other key parameters such as pH, conductivity and nitrate presence.
Who regulates drinking water quality in Spain?
Drinking water in Spain is regulated by Royal Decree 3/2023, which transposes Directive (EU) 2020/2184. This legislation sets out the sanitary, chemical and microbiological requirements that water for human consumption must meet.
These standards are based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and are reviewed periodically.
How can you analyse tap water at home?
If you suspect that the water in your home has an unpleasant taste, a strange smell or excessive limescale, you can:
- Request the official report from your water supplier.
- Hire a private laboratory for more detailed analysis.
- Use home testing kits to measure chlorine, pH or hardness.
If you’re unsure or simply unhappy with the taste, an immediate solution is to install an EcoPro filter, which significantly improves taste and water quality without the need for building work.
Conclusion: tap water in Spain is safe, but its taste can be improved
Drinking tap water is a safe, economical and sustainable option for most households in Spain. However, if taste, hardness or chlorine are an issue for you, the best solution is to use a certified activated carbon filter.
EcoPro by Tappwater removes up to 98% of chlorine, limescale, microplastics and other compounds that affect water taste and quality, without removing beneficial minerals.
💧 Discover our home filters and start enjoying great-tasting, safe water — without bottles.
