By the WahLiao desk · Last updated 3 October 2026
Yes. Singapore’s tap water is safe to drink straight from the tap. PUB, the national water agency, says its quality is well within the World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality and Singapore’s own drinking-water regulations, and that it is suitable for drinking without any further filtration. Bring a reusable bottle and refill it at your hotel, at water coolers and at taps: in a city this hot, it saves money and plastic.
Many visitors arrive expecting to buy bottled water all week, as they would elsewhere in the region. In Singapore you do not need to.
Tap water: quick facts
| Safe to drink? | Yes, straight from the tap |
| Standard | Within WHO guidelines and Singapore’s 2019 drinking-water regulations |
| Filtering or boiling | Not needed, says PUB |
| Testing | More than 500,000 tests a year, from reservoirs to taps |
| Where to refill | Hotel taps, water coolers in malls and attractions, drinking fountains in parks |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Drink it | Straight from the tap, including in hotels. |
| Carry | A reusable bottle; you will drink more than you expect in the heat. |
| Save | Bottled water adds up over a week. |
| At restaurants | Ask for plain water; some charge for it. |
| Worth knowing | Some of the supply is NEWater, recycled water purified to be ultra-clean. |
Why it is safe
PUB samples water from reservoirs, waterworks, desalination plants and the pipe network, and tests it in an accredited laboratory, more than 500,000 tests a year, with online sensors watching treatment in real time. Its water quality department has been a WHO Collaborating Centre for safe drinking-water management since 2012.
Water in the heat
Singapore is hot and humid all year. Drink regularly, not only when thirsty, and refill as you go. Beating the heat has the rest of the advice.
Tap water: FAQ
Can you drink tap water in Singapore?
Yes, straight from the tap, according to PUB.
Do I need to boil tap water in Singapore?
No. PUB says it needs no further filtration or treatment.
Is hotel tap water safe in Singapore?
Yes. It comes from the same public supply.
Why do some restaurants charge for water?
Some serve bottled or chilled filtered water and charge for it. Ask for plain tap water if you prefer.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore. See also Is Singapore safe?
Sources checked before publication on 3 October 2026: PUB, water quality; PUB, water supply. Last updated 3 October 2026.
