Is Bucharest Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Yes, tap water is drinkable.

Tap Safe includes data from many publicly available sources, including the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Center for Disease Control), and user submitted databases, but unfortunately there's not enough data about Bucharest.

To see user submitted ratings of the water quality for Romania, see the "User Submitted Ratings" box on this page.

Bucharest, Romania’s tap water is generally safe. It is part of the European Union that regulates water quality. Though older buildings run the risk of having contaminants in the pipes, and more suspected in rural areas.

Within the year an alert spread in social media that the tap water in Bucharest is not drinkable. The report says that water contains high amounts of chlorine. People were warned not to use water for brushing, cooking, and avoid drinking directly from the tap. The water company, Apa Nova, has released an official press release to clarify the said report. Letting the people know that they should not be alarmed and recommended to let the water run for a few moments before use. Apa Nova explained that they had to perform an additional water treatment in Bucharest, following the sudden melting ice. They also mentioned that there are no measures that break the quality standard of tap water.

Health Minister published that, according to the samples taken, the level of chlorine in the drinking water is within normal parameters.

Source of Water in Bucharest, Romania

Most of the city water comes from surface water. Another portion comes from groundwater in Bucharest. The Danube river is the second largest river in Europe that plays a big part when it comes to the water sources in Romania.

The Bucharest concession was Romania’s first public-private organization in the water and sanitation division. IFC’s part in structuring and completing the transaction presented support to international operators. The deal was made in March 2000. Vivendi of France (now Veolia) won the bid to manage and control the water sanitation system for 25 years. The company had spent more than $250 million in upgrading and maintaining the system. They provide the city with one of the lowest water and sanitation tariffs in Europe. The concession has developed water services, in Bucharest. The city’s standard of services is above other Romanian towns and toward western European levels.

Other links:

• First impressions, the Bucharest edition
• Can You Drink Tap Water in Romania?