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Is Mexico City Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Do not Drink :(

LAST UPDATED: 10:18 am, May 18, 2022
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One of the most important things to be aware of when traveling is the water in Mexico. The only country on the planet with access to such a resource that is free of contaminants is the United States. Mexico City Mexico is the capital city of Mexico and is a very busy city with tourists from around the world. This article will cover the various contaminant sources that can be found in tap water.

Many people are not aware of how much pollution their water systems actually contain. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the water supply in Mexico City has at least one contaminant. These contaminants range from the natural elements to human contamination from a variety of causes.

The naturally occurring contaminants include chemicals, drugs, viruses, bacteria, viruses and heavy metals. The more we learn about what is in our water supplies the more we are able to control it and keep it safe for us.

The tap water in Mexico City is safe to drink when it leaves the treatment plant clean. Most of Mexico’s water is purified, especially in Mexico City. The dilemma is that the method of conveying water from the treatment centers going to the tap where the water gets out is frequently old pipes, full of heavy metals, and sometimes a touch dirty.

Most people in Mexico City always drink bottled water. However, they make ice from tap water, and locals stomach drinking it without a problem. However, ex-pats stories of  expats in Mexico who sipped tap water and became sick are common. Supposedly this is because our stomachs are not used to the types of bacteria there.

Source of Water in Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City

In 2006, 63% of Mexican were extracting water from surface water, such as rivers or lakes. The rest came from aquifers. Aquifers are underground stories of rock immersed with water that drawn to the surface by natural springs or through pumping.

Avoid Drinking Tap Water

It would be best to avoid drinking tap water if you are unsure. Nowadays filtered water to make ice is used in every single reputable restaurant, and most of them not so prominent restaurants. Nothing to worry about the ice in your drink when you are visiting Mexico, it has been made to ensure you do not get sick. Plus, it is hot here; nobody wants a warm cocktail.

Some say the safest option is to boil water for over a minute ultimately, or you should use filtered water. If you are in your hotel room or Airbnb and you want to make coffee, then it is recommended to use filtered water. It is not only safer, but it tastes a lot better, too.

When you visit Mexico, you have a couple of options for drinking water. If you have planned to stay in one place for several days, it is highly recommended buying a sizeable 20-liter bottle. There is no plastic waste created as these bottles are sterilized and refilled with filtered water.

Check out Mexico City’s water quality by visiting The National Academies Press.

Other links:

Is Mexico City Tap Water Safe to Drink - WHO & CDC Consensus

No, tap water is not 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 Mexico City.

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

FAQs about Mexico City Water

Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Mexico City?
To brush our teeth without worry? Unfortunately, not yet. Despite the increasing number of water filtration systems being implemented within Mexico, the answer remains a resounding "No." Ingesting water tainted with bacteria is an easy way to get yourself very sick.
Why can't you drink the water in Mexico City?
Tap water in Mexico is generally not safe to drink. Even though most municipal water departments across the country purify the water at their facility, it can become contaminated on its way from to your tap. Unfortunately, there is no way to know short of taking a drink and waiting to see if you get sick
What happens if you drink Mexico tap water?
Besides, reverse osmosis produced water is aggressive, tastes poorly and will leach out all sorts of chemicals from the bottles probably causing far greater health issues than a few bacteria would. When getting sick in Mexico from eating or drinking, it's actually almost never the water.
Can you drink filtered water in Mexico City?
So you'll never be too far away from drinkable water in Mexico. Most of the larger hotels in Mexico and some of the up-scale smaller hotel have water purification systems installed at their properties, so all water on-site is guaranteed as potable.
Do locals drink water in Mexico?
Many locals drink the water in Mexico. However, tourists should not drink it. There is even a name for the illness caused by local water, Montezuma's revenge, also known as Traveler's Diarrhea.
Is Mexico City water clean?
Water systems that run through rural towns are riddled with pollutants, making the water undrinkable. The town of Endho dangerously uses Mexico City's polluted water for farming because it does not have access to clean water.
Why is Mexico's water polluted?
In Mexico, one of the factors most affecting water related problems is its distribution. Currently, more than 12 million persons lack drinkable water, especially in rural areas. Water pollution is due to the discharge of domestic, industrial, agricultural and mining residues.
Where does Mexico City get their water from?
The Mexican capital, situated in a high-altitude valley, relies mostly on water pumped from its underground aquifer and reservoirs dozens of kilometers away to meet water demand in its wider metropolitan area, home to more than 20 million people.
Is Mexico City Tap Water Safe To Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$0.72 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Mexico City tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 58% Moderate
  • Water Pollution 71% High
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 42% Moderate
  • Water Quality 29% Low

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Mexico City, 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

Sources Cited

Current Weather in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY WEATHER

Some of the Convenience Stores in Mexico City

7 Eleven Convenience Store
7 Eleven Convenience Store
  • Mini Groceries ( Abarrotes Local 12 Surrounding Mexico City )
  • 7-Eleven
  • OXXO
  • Go Mart G45 Urugay
  • Extra
  • Super Stop & Shop
  • El Arbol
  • LA PERLA
  • LA CONSENTIDA
  • Tienda el Trebol

Bottled Water Estimated Price

VolumeMXNUSDEURGBP
1.5-literMex$14.38$0.75€0.67£0.60
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