Is tap water in Gibraltar safe to drink?

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Accepted Answer

Yes. Gibraltar's mains drinking water is produced by desalinating seawater, then treated, remineralised and tested to legal drinking water standards. It can taste of chlorine, but that does not affect its safety.
All of Gibraltar's drinking water is made from seawater by reverse osmosis desalination, operated by the water company AquaGib. The water is treated and remineralised, then analysed for chemical content and bacterial purity before and after storage in the reservoirs.
Drinking water is regulated by the Public Health (Potable Water) Regulations 1994 and the Public Health Act, which follow EU drinking water standards. The Environmental Agency independently monitors the supply, testing a wide range of microbiological and chemical parameters. The mains network delivers a single quality of water for both drinking and washing.
Some people notice a chlorine taste or smell, particularly when AquaGib increases dosing as a precaution. Occasional discolouration is caused by sediment in the pipes and usually clears after running the tap briefly.
Many visitors are happy to drink it straight from the tap. If the taste bothers you, chilling it or using a filter jug helps, and bottled water is widely sold. If you are staying in an older building and are unsure about its internal plumbing or storage tanks, ask your host.

Is tap water in Gibraltar safe to drink?

Short answer

Detailed answer

Where it comes from

How it is regulated

Taste and appearance