Tap water in Peru
Not safe to drink
The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 50% of people in Peru. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.
What the sources say
50% of the population has safely managed drinking water, meaning it is free from contamination at the point of use.
Coverage splits by where you are: 59% in urban areas against 21% in rural ones.
Advises travellers that tap water is generally not safe to drink in Peru.
39.32/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Low”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.
Tap water in Peru is not safe to drink. Boiling water vigorously for one minute is the most effective means of water purification. At altitudes over 2000m (6500ft), boil for three minutes.
You can also disinfect water with iodine or water-purification pills or use a water filter or Steripen. Consult with outdoor retailers on the best option for your travel situation.
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 679$ a year in Peru, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.
Work out your own savingPlaces in Peru
Water quality is local. These places have their own readings.