Can You Drink Tap Water In Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a fun city to visit especially if you are interested in visiting Disneyland, try the local food at the street markets the luxurious shopping malls, Michelin-starred restaurants, and plenty of exploring to do. The question of whether can you drink tap water in Hong Kong is a commonly asked question.

It is NOT advised to drink tap water in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong water authority says that the tap water is fit for drinking but the issue is the transport of water from the treatment plants to the taps in the hotels and homes. You can never be sure of the condition of water pipes in buildings. It’s safer to drink bottled water to avoid getting sick.

In this post, we will go through whether can you drink tap water in Hong Kong. So let’s get started!

Learn More About Hong Kong

• Things To Do in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Travel Tips
• Things To Do On Hong Kong Island
• Hong Kong Travel Guide
• Scams in Hong Kong

Is It Safe To Drink Tap Water in Hong Kong?

Generally, it is NOT advised to drink tap water in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong water meets the WHO(World Health Organization) standards and the tap water is fit for drinking. The issue is not with the treatment plants but the transport of water to homes and hotels.

The pipes around Hong Kong are in need of maintenance and an upgrade. The other issue is the water pipes within the buildings. You can never be sure of the condition of water pipes in the buildings.

When visiting Hong Kong, you should only drink bottled water and if no water is available then you can boil the water before drinking. It’s better to be safe than risk getting sick.

What Are The Alternatives To Tap Water In Hong Kong?

Again, it is NOT advised to drink tap water in Hong Kong. You will hear that Hong Kong’s water supply is safe to drink. I would not risk it.

Overall it simply is not worth the risk of getting sick while on holiday and drinking tap water could easily ruin your visit to Hong Kong. And it can take well over a week to recover.

Here is a list of the tap water alternatives in Hong Kong.

• Bottled water.
• Filtered water.
• Boiled water.

Can You Drink Tap Water In Hong Kong?

You will be told that the water supply in Hong Kong is safe but simply I wouldn’t risk drinking it. Hong Kong’s water treatment plants work fine but the problem is the pipes from the water plant to the premises plus the pipes within the houses and hotels.

It is safer to drink bottled water or filtered water.

Is it OK To Drink Boiled Water In Hong Kong?

You can drink tap water in Hong Kong if you boil it but the hotel will most provide you with a few bottles of water. By boiling the water you will kill the bacteria and organisms that may be in the water.

Again it is completely you to you but you should avoid tap water completely as you run the risk of getting sick. It is safer to drink bottled water.

Can You Brush Your Teeth With Tap Water In Hong Kong?

Yes, tap water is safe to brush your teeth in Hong Kong but it is safer to boil it first. Try to use bottled water instead of tap water. Many hotels provide bottles of complimentary drink water. If you are using tap water for brushing your teeth, try not to swallow the water.

Is Bottled Water Safe In Hong Kong?

Yes. Bottled water is the best choice for visitors to Hong Kong. It is clean and safe to drink.

Here is a list of the popular bottled water in Hong Kong.

• Watsons Water.
• Volvic.
• Cool Water.
• Ganten.
• Vittel.

1.5 liter of bottled water can cost around HK$6 (US$0.75). The price depends on the brand with the local water brands being the cheapest.

How Safe Is It To Drink Filtered Water In Hong Kong?

Yes, assuming that the filter for the filtered water is replaced and maintained regularly. This sometimes can be healthier than bottled water.

Again, it is advised that people don’t drink from their taps in Hong Kong.

What Is Wrong With The Tap Water In Hong Kong?

Officially the Hong Kong tap water is at the standards of the WHO (World Health Organization standards) and is considered safe to drink. The problem is the water pipe infrastructure, particularly in homes and hotels.

As a result, the water quality will vary from hotel to hotel. There is a risk of getting sick from drinking tap water.

To summarise, while the water quality at the treatment plants in Hong Kong is at a good standard, there is an issue with the transportation of the water from the water plant to the taps at the hotels or homes. The quality of the water pipes varies from hotel to hotel.

I suggest playing safe and drinking bottled water.

Wrapping Up

Finally, I would advise NOT to drink tap water in Hong Kong, mainly due to issues with the water pipes within hotels and homes. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first as this will kill the bacteria and organisms. You should stick to using bottled water as it is the safer option.

Remember getting food poisoning is a sure way of ruining your visit to Hong Kong.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on can you drink tap water in Hong Kong has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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