Warsaw is the biggest city in Poland, and its air is often polluted. But how does this relate to the quality of drinking water in Warsaw? Can you drink tap water in Warsaw?
Where does Warsaw get drinking water from?
Over 70% of the agglomeration’s demand for water is covered by the Vistula River. Water collected about 7 meters below the bottom of the river is then treated at the Central Plant (in two Warsaw treatment stations: “Filtry” and “Praga”). The Northern Plant in Wieliszew, on the other hand, supplies the city with surface water taken from Lake Zegrze.
Over 330 million litres of water are used every day in Warsaw. However, before it reaches the inhabitants of the Warsaw agglomeration, it must undergo a series of complex technological processes and detailed laboratory tests. In modern plants, water is subjected to e.g. multi-stage filtration, ozonation (and disinfection). Everything is to make it safe, clean, and tasty.
State-of-the-art technologies, modernized installations, and detailed tests – all this guarantees that the water supplied by the Warsaw waterworks to your homes is tasty, clean, and drinkable straight from the tap.
So, the answer to the question “can you drink tap water in Warsaw?” is: yes, it is completely safe, and there is no need to buy bottled water.
Drinking water in Warsaw – Warszawska Kranowka
Warsaw encourages citizens to drink tap water in Warsaw – Warszawska Kranowka (Kranowka is a colloquial word for tap water in Poland), and over 50% of Warsaw citizens admit they drink water straight from the tap. And there is no reason not to do so – the water quality is analysed every day, the Result may be found on this webpage.
Warsaw tap water in the streets
In 2019 over 30 street water taps were located in many areas of Warsaw. They are suitable for drinking water directly or filling a bottle. If you wish to find one, look for “wodopoj” in Google Maps. However, some taps are closed outside the high season.