Can you drink the tap water?
Tap water in Dubai: safe at source
Dubai's tap water is desalinated and meets international standards. The doubt is the storage tanks on top of older buildings. Hotels supply bottled water, and it's what most residents drink.
- Tap water safe
- Safe in cities
- Drink bottled
In summer, temperatures over 40°C make dehydration the bigger risk. Carry water everywhere, even on short walks.
Where it differs
- New hotels and mallsTap water safe
Safe tap water and free water fountains.
- Older buildingsSafe in cities
Rooftop tanks can affect quality. Drink bottled.
Why most people still buy bottled
Dubai makes its water by desalinating the Gulf, then treats it to international standards. What happens next is the problem: many buildings store it in rooftop tanks that bake in summer heat and aren't always cleaned often. That's why residents mostly drink bottled or filtered water, and why big plastic bottles are cheap in every supermarket.
Staying hydrated in the heat
- Carry water on every outing from May to September, even a short walk between malls.
- Use the free refill stations in malls, metro stations and some beaches. Dubai has been adding them to cut plastic.
- Add electrolytes if you're out in the sun for long, especially on desert trips.
- Watch for heat exhaustion: headache, dizziness and nausea mean get into air conditioning and drink.
Before you go
- Drink more than you think you need from May to September.
Official advice: FCDO health advice for Dubai & UAE
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