Tap water in Iceland

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 100% of people in Iceland. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

100% of the population has safely managed drinking water, meaning it is free from contamination at the point of use.

US CDC Travelers' Health

Advises travellers that tap water is generally safe to drink in Iceland.

Numbeo

96.13/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Very high”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

Iceland has some of the cleanest water in the world and tap water is completely safe to drink. Locals find it amusing to see travellers buying bottled water when the same quality of water is available from the tap.

Geothermal hot water smells of sulphur, but the cold water doesn't smell.

Safe nationally still means ask locally. Older buildings can carry lead or copper pipework, and a single street can differ from the network feeding it. If you are staying somewhere old, ask your host.

What bottled water costs you here

Drinking tap water instead of bottled would save one adult about 1153$ a year in Iceland, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Iceland

Water quality is local. These places have their own readings.

Elsewhere in Europe