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Tap Water Safety in South Korea

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: April 8, 2021 12:53 pm
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Table of Contents

How do People In South Korea Rate The Tap Water?

Travellers and residents of South Korea have rated the water quality and pollution as follows, according to subjective survey data. A score of 100% is considered very high, and a score of 0% is very low. Please be cautious that "moderate to very high" water pollution is bad and the higher the rate of water quality the better.

Can you drink the tap water in South Korea?

The US Center for Disease Control’s travel advisory confirms the safety of the tap water in South Korea (source). However, it would be best if you take special precautions toward the unregulated water sources in some areas. Like all countries though, water accessibility, sanitation, and treatment vary widely from location to location, so we encourage looking for specific city information.

What do people in South Korea think about the tap water?

South Korea has some of the cleanest tap water in the world, though most locals and visitors drink filtered or purified water from bottles or dispensers. The practice comes from a belief that bottled water is healthier, and the fear that old pipes can contain heavy metals. Filtered or bottled water is served free in most restaurants and machines with free purified hot and cold water are available in most motels, guesthouses and shopping plaza entrances.

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 29% Low
  • Water Pollution 39% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 71% High
  • Water Quality 61% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in , measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources


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