Tap water in Réunion

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 96% of people in Réunion. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

96% 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 Réunion.

Numbeo

50.0/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Moderate”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

European Union

As an EU member state, Réunion is bound by the Drinking Water Directive, which sets minimum quality standards and requires regular testing by suppliers.

Lonely Planet

As a general rule, the tap water in Réunion is safe to drink, but always take care immediately after a cyclone or cyclonic storm as mains water supplies can become contaminated by dead animals and other debris washed into the system. Never drink from streams as this might put you at risk of waterborne diseases.

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 1372$ a year in Réunion, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Réunion

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

Elsewhere in Africa