Tap water in Mongolia

Not safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 81% of people in Mongolia. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

81% 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 not safe to drink in Mongolia.

Numbeo

43.23/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Moderate”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

Bottled water is generally safe – check that the seal is intact at purchase. Tap water in Ulaanbaatar and other cities is considered bacteria-free, however antiquated plumbing means the...

Bottled water is generally safe – check that the seal is intact at purchase. Tap water in Ulaanbaatar and other cities is considered bacteria-free, however antiquated plumbing means the water may contain traces of metals that won’t be good for your long-term health. Be cautious about drinking from streams and lakes, as they are easily polluted by livestock. Water is usually OK if you can get it high up in the mountains, near the source. If in doubt, boil your water. The best chemical purifier is iodine, although it should not be used by pregnant women or those with thyroid problems. Water filters should filter out viruses. Ensure your filter has a chemical barrier such as iodine and a small pore size (less than four microns).

This is a national picture, and it varies. Some cities treat their water to a standard the country as a whole does not reach. Where the water is not safe, boiling, filtering or sealed bottles are the usual options, and ice and raw salad washed in tap water carry the same risk as the water itself.

What bottled water costs you here

Drinking tap water instead of bottled would save one adult about 394$ a year in Mongolia, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Mongolia

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

Elsewhere in Asia