Continue reading for everything you need to know about tap water, bottled water and water filters in Dubai and the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the last four decades the desert city of Dubai, the busiest business hub in the UAE, has turned into a place which can beat any foreign city in terms of its living standards. It has a vibrant and cosmopolitan environment which is supported by an advanced, substantial infrastructure . There\u2019s economic and political stability, a highly advanced healthcare system, a uniformly high standard of education, an impressive transport system, cultural activities and a large expatriate community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, does the drinking water in Dubai meet the same standard of excellence as that of other developed cities in the world? Is it safe to drink tap water in Dubai? Is Dubai tap water a health risk? Does the city of Dubai provide safe drinkable tap water for its residents? Where does the water come from in a desert city like Dubai? Do you need a water filter in Dubai?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where does the tap water in Dubai and UAE come from?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Can](\"https:\/\/backup.tappwater.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/01\/image.png\")
<\/a>Desalinated water plant in Dubai, UAE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere are two sources for water in the UAE: Ground water and desalinated sea water. The ground water levels are not enough and only serves a little more than 1% of its need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Close to 99% of potable drinking water in Dubai now comes from its desalination plants. The desalination plants process sea water to make them usable. Sea water from the Arabian Gulf is pumped into DUBAL, Dubai Aluminum factory to cool the Aluminum smelters. It is then brought into the adjacent DEWA, Dubai Electric and Water Authority plants for power generation as well as desalination. The desalinated water then flows into the pipes for water consumption. With Dubai\u2019s ground made of sand it\u2019s highly improbable for the water to be contaminated from the ground. The only likely common source contaminants are leeching pipes and water tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can I drink tap water in Dubai?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The simple answer is yes. But as far as Dubai\u2019s large numbers of expat population is concerned they don\u2019t agree on the topic of safety of Dubai\u2019s tap water. Some are highly suspicious of the running tap water. \u201cI would never drink any of the water which comes out of the taps. At best I use it for washing and cleaning\u201d, others would say. Many also say that, they would prefer to boil the tap water before they drink it. Only a few are ready to drink directly from the tap so it\u2019s not common practice in the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more about water filters below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quality of local tap water in Dubai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The quality of Dubai tap water has always been a topic of contention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the water maintenance company Ultra, rubble, rubbish and other sources of contamination could reproduce bacteria such as Legionella. Especially if tanks are left for a long period of time without being cleaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Culligan KMA, UAE \u2018s major water treatment service provider for the last 20 years, contaminants get in through unclean pipes rather than the tank. To deal with this problem they use a fully biodegradable biocide disinfectant. This ensures that there are no harmful residues left behind in the pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Culligan KMA , along with some top facilities management companies in the region are offering a range of testing and consulting services to improve the quality of tap water in Dubai. These include a full laboratory report before and after cleaning a tank, a certificate of sanitization, sampling water to test for different kinds of bacteria. They also provide a range of cleaning services for water tanks in villas, apartments, hotels and public places. The purpose is to encourage more residents to drink tap water straight or with a water filter in Dubai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The myths surrounding Dubai Tap Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So many myths surround the tap water of Dubai \u2014 Hair loss, dry skin, premature ageing. Mike Ryan, popularly known as the \u201cDubai Hair Doctor\u201d, has been researching on the harmful effects of Dubai\u2019s Tap Water collaborating with DEWA. He has found no conclusive evidence regarding the ill effects of Dubai tap water on its residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many reasons could be cited for causing hair loss, dry skin and premature ageing \u2013 such as vitamin B deficiency, stress, the food, arid weather\u2013 but the water in the taps is not one of them. One value that all these myths have provided is a booming market of anti-hair loss water filters in Dubai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is true however that chlorine can cause dry skin and hair. A high quality shower filter can solve this. TAPP Water offers ShowerPro as a solution. It’s the only independently certified shower filter<\/a>. TAPP Water filters are now available from NIA in Dubai<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoes the tap water in Dubai taste bad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tatiana Antonelli Abella is the founder of Goumbook, an environmental organization that recently launched the \u201cDrop It\u201d campaign against plastic water bottles. According to her the main reason people prefer bottled water over tap water is because of its taste. To overcome this problem, she suggests that people should use filters on their taps to get rid of any unpleasant taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason or the poor taste is primarily chlorine combined with desalinated water. Most cities\/regions with desalinated water face the same issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quality of tap water in Dubai and bottled water<\/a> are almost the same. It\u2019s the taste and not the health benefits that make them stand apart. The type and quantity of minerals and salts that water companies add to bottled water gives the water a distinguished taste. The convenience and accessibility of bottled has kept people attached to drinking bottled water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>There are two sources for water in the UAE: Ground water and desalinated sea water. The ground water levels are not enough and only serves a little more than 1% of its need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Close to 99% of potable drinking water in Dubai now comes from its desalination plants. The desalination plants process sea water to make them usable. Sea water from the Arabian Gulf is pumped into DUBAL, Dubai Aluminum factory to cool the Aluminum smelters. It is then brought into the adjacent DEWA, Dubai Electric and Water Authority plants for power generation as well as desalination. The desalinated water then flows into the pipes for water consumption. With Dubai\u2019s ground made of sand it\u2019s highly improbable for the water to be contaminated from the ground. The only likely common source contaminants are leeching pipes and water tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can I drink tap water in Dubai?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The simple answer is yes. But as far as Dubai\u2019s large numbers of expat population is concerned they don\u2019t agree on the topic of safety of Dubai\u2019s tap water. Some are highly suspicious of the running tap water. \u201cI would never drink any of the water which comes out of the taps. At best I use it for washing and cleaning\u201d, others would say. Many also say that, they would prefer to boil the tap water before they drink it. Only a few are ready to drink directly from the tap so it\u2019s not common practice in the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more about water filters below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quality of local tap water in Dubai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The quality of Dubai tap water has always been a topic of contention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the water maintenance company Ultra, rubble, rubbish and other sources of contamination could reproduce bacteria such as Legionella. Especially if tanks are left for a long period of time without being cleaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Culligan KMA, UAE \u2018s major water treatment service provider for the last 20 years, contaminants get in through unclean pipes rather than the tank. To deal with this problem they use a fully biodegradable biocide disinfectant. This ensures that there are no harmful residues left behind in the pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Culligan KMA , along with some top facilities management companies in the region are offering a range of testing and consulting services to improve the quality of tap water in Dubai. These include a full laboratory report before and after cleaning a tank, a certificate of sanitization, sampling water to test for different kinds of bacteria. They also provide a range of cleaning services for water tanks in villas, apartments, hotels and public places. The purpose is to encourage more residents to drink tap water straight or with a water filter in Dubai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The myths surrounding Dubai Tap Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So many myths surround the tap water of Dubai \u2014 Hair loss, dry skin, premature ageing. Mike Ryan, popularly known as the \u201cDubai Hair Doctor\u201d, has been researching on the harmful effects of Dubai\u2019s Tap Water collaborating with DEWA. He has found no conclusive evidence regarding the ill effects of Dubai tap water on its residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many reasons could be cited for causing hair loss, dry skin and premature ageing \u2013 such as vitamin B deficiency, stress, the food, arid weather\u2013 but the water in the taps is not one of them. One value that all these myths have provided is a booming market of anti-hair loss water filters in Dubai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is true however that chlorine can cause dry skin and hair. A high quality shower filter can solve this. TAPP Water offers ShowerPro as a solution. It’s the only independently certified shower filter<\/a>. TAPP Water filters are now available from NIA in Dubai<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tatiana Antonelli Abella is the founder of Goumbook, an environmental organization that recently launched the \u201cDrop It\u201d campaign against plastic water bottles. According to her the main reason people prefer bottled water over tap water is because of its taste. To overcome this problem, she suggests that people should use filters on their taps to get rid of any unpleasant taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason or the poor taste is primarily chlorine combined with desalinated water. Most cities\/regions with desalinated water face the same issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The quality of tap water in Dubai and bottled water<\/a> are almost the same. It\u2019s the taste and not the health benefits that make them stand apart. The type and quantity of minerals and salts that water companies add to bottled water gives the water a distinguished taste. The convenience and accessibility of bottled has kept people attached to drinking bottled water.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoes the tap water in Dubai taste bad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n