Tap water in Uzbekistan

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 90% of people in Uzbekistan. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

90% 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: 92% in urban areas against 88% in rural ones.

US CDC Travelers' Health

Advises travellers that tap water is generally not safe to drink in Uzbekistan.

Numbeo

70.54/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “High”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

Tap water in Uzbekistan isn't safe to drink, especially in Karakalpakstan. Bottled water is available cheaply everywhere. Long-term visitors should bring 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 183$ a year in Uzbekistan, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Uzbekistan

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

Elsewhere in Asia