Tap water in Russia

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 96% of people in Russia. 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 not safe to drink in Russia.

Numbeo

55.14/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Moderate”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

While brushing your teeth with tap water is OK, assume that it isn’t safe to drink. Stick to bottled water, boil water for 10 minutes, or use water purification tablets or a filter.

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 350$ a year in Russia, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Russia

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

Elsewhere in Europe