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Is Abu Dhabi Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 4:12 am, May 17, 2021
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Abu Dhabi?

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 Abu Dhabi.

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

Abu Dhabi Tap Water

You may not have heard much about tap water in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, but the truth is that it is pretty safe to drink. The tap water at hotels there is regularly tested to ensure that it does not contain harmful contaminants like lead or other heavy metals. It is also free from bacteria and microbes, both of which are common in tap water worldwide. This is one of the significant benefits of travel to the United Arab Emirates; you can rest assured that your hotel water is as clean and contaminant-free as possible.

The tap’s water contains many different minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, zinc, manganese, and iron. Most people know that it tastes bland and has little taste, but most people do not realize just how healthy drinking this type of water can be. Water is an excellent source of hydration for the body, especially if you are exercising since it helps to fill the stomach and keep your entire body hydrated. In the summer months, the water helps keep people from overheating, and in the winter, when it is cold and hard to get water, the water is the perfect source of hydration for both hot and cold seasons.

You can find bottled water in Abu Dhabi, but you should know that tap water in the United Arab Emirates is not the same as bottled water. Tap water in Abu Dhabi is distilled and deionized, which means that it contains no trace of any minerals whatsoever. The water is then packed into plastic bottles before being shipped all over the world. Bottled water is one of the biggest misconceptions of water traveling, and while the water might taste bland compared to water that has been filtered and purified, it is still a lot healthier than water that comes straight from the tap.

Water in Abu Dhabi

Over the past decade, the role of water recycling has significantly increased in Abu Dhabi’s water management program. Today, five major water recycling plants are operating in the city. These plants process over 93% of the city’s wastewater, with most of it going through a processing plant to provide safe drinking water. The central policy aims to explore the future of recycling water and research new sources for recycled water by-products. The program also aims at minimizing the adverse environmental impacts by controlling the pollution of wastewater. The primary source of water pollution in the city is agricultural and domestic waste, which results in an average of eighteen million gallons of sewage being discharged each day. These by-products have several advantages over ordinary sewage, which includes:

To meet the growing water demand in Abu Dhabi, several large-scale projects are under development, including constructing the second terminal of the bypass road, a hotel project, a major new shopping center, and the renovation of the Sheikh Zayed mosque. In addition to these projects, the government has taken several innovative and effective initiatives in Abu Dhabi. These initiatives are contributing towards managing the water resources efficiently. For instance, the government has developed a policy called the Water Resilience and Management Programme (WPMP) to build and maintain a network of water storage tanks along the length of the city. These storage tanks will act as a natural reservoir for the treated water, providing a steady supply to meet the increasing water demand. Similarly, the WPMP is also looking at ways of augmenting the existing water pipes to handle the growing water demand.

Other measures being taken by the Abu Dhabi Government to manage the water resources include encouraging desalination to produce more marine life and reducing the burden on the marine environment. Although the city has the latest and highly modern desalination plant, it is still lagging behind in other parts of the world compared to other countries with a much higher per capita consumption of recycled water. In addition to this, the federal government provides financial incentives to families who use recycled water in their homes and are encouraging the use of wind turbines to produce green energy. These measures being taken by the government are aimed at conserving and protecting the water resources, thereby ensuring better quality water supplies for the residents of Abu Dhabi.

Bottled Water in Abu Dhabi

Many hotels and other public buildings in Abu Dhabi provide bottled water to their customers. This is a novel approach to take since Abu Dhabi is famous for hosting many prestigious events, conferences, and sports events. The city attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The infrastructure in Abu Dhabi is well developed and modern, and one can find many current and innovative hotel facilities in this government Arab hub. The bottled water issue has come up as a cause celebre, and many companies have decided to use this method to promote awareness about the precious resource that is water. Many leading brands in the tourism industry also offer bottled water to customers and enjoy great benefits by doing so.

Ironically, bottled water is promoted as being pure while at the same time it is contaminated and contains bacteria and chemicals. This situation calls for the need to find a way in which the water can be safe and healthy for consumption, mainly if it is being provided to a large number of people. The concept of bottled water in Abu Dhabi may be new. Still, it is catching on, and the government takes the necessary steps to provide a solution to water contamination. If the bottles are replaced with glass bottles, they can be easily washed and reused at home, thereby contributing to a better environment. This way, we can reduce the consumption of plastic and encourage bottles made of other materials, including glass.

There are many advantages of bottled water in Abu Dhabi. These include the fact that the price is very reasonable, fluoride, none of the chemicals and contaminants associated with tap water, and it comes in convenient flavors like orange, lemon, and lime. It also tastes good, and you can always keep refilling it from the same place without worrying about running out. One of the disadvantages of using bottled water is that the liquid is not suitable for consumption during the winter months when the temperature gets freezing, as it tends to freeze. But then, if you prefer a refreshing drink during the hot season, you can always choose the non-filtration varieties of bottled water. You can always find water from different places, along with other brands.

Abu Dhabi Drinking Water

The tap water in Abu Dhabi is very safe to drink; however, the water from bottled waters is not always as safe to drink as the municipal tap water. Bottled water companies in the UAE have sometimes been criticized for leaving certain hazardous materials in their water to increase their sales. These include heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. In addition, most tap water has traces of chlorine and other chemical substances, which can cause dehydration and other health problems. However, there are new bottled water brands available in the UAE that will provide you with an adequate supply of clean, pure water without all the harmful substances mentioned above. Let us take a look at these brands and where to find them.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Hub bottled water brand offers an excellent choice of bottled water, which is also received on tap in the city. This brand is well received by locals and tourists alike because of its high-quality water. The water is free from any disinfection methods like chlorination which can leave hazardous metals and chemicals. Therefore, it is considered by many to be the safest tap water in the world.

Another one of the Abu Dhabi drinking water brands is the Deem Estell. Deem offers tap water and bottled water, which are distributed throughout the city in sealed containers. This purification method has proven to be effective, and therefore many people prefer this brand over other water purification methods. Water purification is an essential aspect of personal hygiene and safety. Consequently, you should always carry out water purification at home to ensure that you and your family are safe.

Abu Dhabi Desalinated Water

The UAE has been making strides in improving its energy consumption and reducing its dependence on imported oil since taking over complete control of its economy in 2021. This effort has seen the establishment of many power plants, with the two significant facilities coming from Abu Dhabi. The city-state is also working hard to make itself a more attractive tourist destination for visitors, both foreign and local, who enjoy the pristine sandy beaches and the vibrant shopping malls that have made it one of the most famous emirate’s world. It is, however, lagging behind in terms of renewable energy consumption per capita and has yet to develop its own domestic alternative energy industry.

In contrast, Abu Dhabi’s ambitious plan to transform the area into a green haven was welcomed by many in the international business community, who had initially invested in the United Arab Emirates’ new economic powerhouse when they were planning their own expansion. The new plan, called the Emovation City, will establish over 20 major companies in the area that aim to turn the once sleepy trading area into one of the major commercial hubs in the world. Not only will these companies be directly responsible for reducing the city’s carbon emissions, but they will also employ a massive percentage of the local population to do so. Though no official figures have been released, it is clear that the scale of the plan is aimed at making Abu Dhabi a world leader in the field of clean energy.

What do people in Abu Dhabi think about the tap water?

Abu Dhabi’s tap water is perfectly safe to drink, though most residents won’t drink it. It is desalinated water, so it has a slight taste and doesn’t contain the normal mineral content of other water.

Is Abu Dhabi Tap Water Safe To Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$0.61 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Abu Dhabi tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 28% Low
  • Water Pollution 38% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 72% High
  • Water Quality 62% High

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

Related FAQS

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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