Can You Drink Tap Water in Cape Town? What Locals Have to Say!

Cape Town has become a popular tourist destination is the past couple of years but some people are still hesitant to visit due to safety concerns. Aside from the typical safety concerns, you might be wondering “can you drink tap water in Cape Town?”. 

The short answer: YES. 

Read on for a more in-depth look at the tap water in Cape Town and things to consider if you’re planning a trip here. 

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Cape Town?

Yes, as I mentioned, it’s generally safe to drink tap water in Cape Town. 

However, I’ve had many conversations with locals and tourists that left me extremely confused as to if it is truly safe or not. 

Most locals will tell you that the water is perfectly safe to drink and tastes great, however, I’ve encountered a couple who say you should drink bottled water. 

This isn’t too different from what people in Canada (my home country) might tell you about tap water. 

That said, a LOT of tourists are scared to drink tap water and most will drink bottled water. To be completely honest, it might take a day or two for your stomach to get used to the water, especially if you’re coming from North America or Europe where the water is very clean but it hasn’t made me sick before. 

The Quality of Water in Cape Town

The South African National Standards (SANS) has strict water quality standards that Cape Town generally meets, along with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards. 

Water is typically sourced from surface reservoirs that are treated and monitored to ensure they don’t contain harmful bacteria, chemicals or other contaminants. 

What’s the Water Treatment Process in Cape Town?

The water in Cape Town goes through a fairly rigorous purification process, including filtration, chlorination and sometimes other treatments are added to maintain safety. 

Regular testing is done at different parts of the distribution system so the water complies with health and safety regulations. 

The City of Cape Town reports the quality of the water in the city and it consistently meets or exceeds the benchmarks they need to meet. 

Should You Use a Filter for Water in Cape Town?

You don’t generally need to worry about a water filter, especially if you’re only in Cape Town for a short amount of time. 

Sometimes issues such as pipes bursting, aging infrastructure or water shortages affect the quality of water in some areas. This is when using a water filter or buying bottled water, which would be useful, especially if you’re staying in an older building. 

When to Avoid Drinking the Tap Water in Cape Town

Cape Town is known to have some of the safest water to drink in all of South Africa. The only time I don’t drink tap water in Cape Town is when it noticeably tastes ‘off’ or is extremely fuzzy when coming out of the tap. 

After spending 8+ months living in this city, that only happened for a week or so, and usually only when a lot of load shedding occurs. 

Is the Tap Water Safe to Drink in South Africa? 

Wondering about the rest of South Africa? 

It definitely depends on the part of the country you’re visiting. Typically, all major cities in South Africa have safe drinking water but we’ll get into more details below! 

Pro Tip: As a rule of thumb, if locals are all drinking bottled water, that’s when you should be as well! 

Can you drink tap water in Stellenbosch 

Yes! 

Stellenbosch is roughly an hour drive from Cape Town and the water there is generally safe to drink as well. The water in Stellenbosch meets the same criteria the water in Cape Town, so if you’re fine drinking the water in Cape Town, you’ll be fine in Stellenbosch! 

Can you drink tap water in Kruger? 

It’s usually fine to drink tap water in the Kruger National Park! The park is located in the northeastern part of South Africa in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces and is one of the largest and most famous wildlife reserves in Africa. 

If you’re staying at major rest camps, lodges or accommodations in the area, you’ll be fine drinking the tap water. This is because it’s sourced from boreholes and treated to meet the safety requirements. 

However, since the park is fairly remote, water quality can dip below the regular standards at times, so if you want to avoid potential stomach issues on your trip, it might be best to use bottled water. 

And if you’re camping or venturing to less-developed areas, you should definitely have some bottled water on you! 

I’m about to head on a trip to this part of Cape Town so I’ll report back on my experience with the water there shortly. 

Can you drink tap water in Johannesburg?

Johannesburg (frequently referred to as Joburg) is the capital of South Africa and also has some of the safest water in the country to drink! 

The water supply is managed by Rand Water, which is one of the largest water utilities in Africa that sources their water from the Vaal Dam and treats it to meet strict SANS and WHO guidelines. 

Like in Cape Town, the tap water in Joburg has its moments where it’s not as safe to drink when unexpected water shortages occur or pipes burst. If you notice the water is tasting ‘off’ it’s always safest to grab some bottled water for a couple of days. 

Can you drink tap water in Franschhoek?

Yes, tap water in Franschhoek is safe for drinking and meets national health and safety standards. 

If you’re planning a visit to Franschhoek, don’t miss out on the wine tram that takes you to the various wineries! 

Can you drink tap water in Hermanus? 

Yes, the tap water in Hermanus, a coastal town in the Western Cape, is safe to drink. 

Seasonal droughts and or infrastructure maintenance may affect the supply and taste so while most people drink the tap water without any issue, you might prefer to drink bottled water there. 

Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Enjoy

• Find the best area to stay in Cape Town for your upcoming trip!
• Everything you need to know about paragliding in Cape Town
• The perfect day in Cape Town – how to spend a layover in the Mother City!
• Nightlife in Cape Town: The best bars and clubs in the city

Final Thoughts on Drinking the Tap Water in Cape Town 

You generally don’t need to spend your money on bottled water when you’re in Cape Town.

I’ve only ever bought bottled water when the quality is noticeably down and otherwise, I drink tap water every day!

That said, if you’re more comfortable drinking bottled water, go for it.

While the water quality is said to be good, it’s up to you if you want to take the ‘risk’. Personally, I’ve never had any issues while drinking the tap water but some people do.

I think it really just boils down to preference!

I’ll be back shortly with another blog but in the meantime, you can connect with me on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube!

Cheers,

Amy xx