Depending on where you live, you’ve probably heard that tap water isn’t safe to drink. If you don’t drink tap water at home, it’s understandable that you’d be reluctant to drink tap water when you visit the Netherlands. However, in this country, you’ll see people drinking water directly from the tap without giving it much thought.

Can you drink tap water in the Netherlands? Yes. It’s safe to drink tap water in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is believed to have the cleanest tap water in the world.  The water there is not only safe to drink but also fluoride and chlorine-free.

The Netherlands is different from other countries in Europe. In other countries, you need to be very cautious when drinking tap water or avoid it at all costs. But the Netherlands has aced their technology, and, for this reason, safety is guaranteed with every drop. In this article, you will learn all about the Netherlands’ tap water and why it is so safe to drink.

Is the Netherlands Tap Water Safe for Drinking?

There are different forms of drinking water available: tap, filtered, bottled, and even some water that has had electrolytes added. Most people believe bottled water is the safest to drink. As a result, the majority of people don’t mind spending a few extra coins to drink water that they’re certain won’t compromise their health.

It’s this reasoning that makes tourists gravitate towards bottled water when they’re visiting a new country, including the Netherlands. But when you’re in the Netherlands, you don’t need to be cautious about the tap water because the Netherlands is believed to have the cleanest water in the world.

Improving the quality of water is one of the top priorities of the Dutch government. The country extracts their water from surface water, groundwater, dunes, and infiltration water. Not to mention, they have a sophisticated pipe network system that ensures adequate distribution of water throughout the country.

The following is said about the pipe network in the Netherlands:

“The pipe network used for water distribution in the Netherlands totals around 100,000 kilometers. This means that if you spread out the pipes of the Dutch drinking water supply system, you could wrap the world around five times!”

Water Quality in the Netherlands Keeps Getting Better

The Dutch government takes improving the quality of water in the country very seriously. They’ve put in place integrated water management and sustainable water systems to make sure that everyone has access to clean water.

Furthermore, they have a water pollution policy throughout the county. The main focus of the policy is the polluter pays a principle, which keeps everyone accountable. An interesting fact is that water consumption in the Netherlands is the lowest among developed countries.

They have a water consumption rate of 128 liters per capita per year. Not to mention, their leakage rate is 3% to 5%, which is below all other European countries.

Enjoy Chlorine-Free Water

The Dutch government doesn’t add chlorine to drinking water, and they may be on to something. According to the Food Revolution Network, people who drink chlorinated water have a 93% increased risk of cancer compared to those who are drinking water that has not been treated with chlorine.

The Dutch government not only avoids using chlorine for treating water, but it also does not use it for disinfecting the vessels in the distribution network. So, how is the Netherlands tap water the cleanest in the world if they don’t use chlorine to disinfect their vessels?

The production and distribution of Amsterdam water without the use of chlorine doesn’t compromise safety for several reasons.

• Their water sources are surface water with soil passage, direct treatment of surface water, and safe groundwater.
• Instead of using chlorine, they use safer and more effective alternatives such as UV disinfection, sedimentation, oxidation, and filtration.
• Water companies take steps to prevent contamination during distribution and to prevent microbial growth.

These are the reasons why the quality of water in the Netherlands is different from other countries. The omission of chlorine from their water treatment practices gives the Dutch government the ability to provide safe water for drinking and also to maintain quality of taste.

Quality of Tap Water in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has the highest quality of water in terms of safety and cleanliness not only in the Netherlands but in all of Europe. The Dutch government is committed to using the latest technology to turn surface drinking water to pure, drinkable water without the use of fluoride or chlorine.

And their efforts have paid off. Amsterdam’s tap water is rated 8.4 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Why Amsterdam Has the Safest Tap Water

Water delivery through a pipe network is not a new development in Amsterdam. The practice started in 1853, and since then, the government has been making efforts to improve the production and distribution of water in the city.

Where does the Netherlands get drinking water?

Like other towns in the Netherlands, water in Amsterdam is extracted from natural sources. They take the water from the River Rhine where it’s naturally filtered through the sand dunes. The water from the river is, however, not the cleanest itself. It’s the purification system that is employed that improves the quality of water in Amsterdam.

Waternet – the leading water company in the Netherlands – has developed an advanced water purification system and is constantly investing in the latest technology to improve the quality of tap water in the city. Currently, Amsterdam tap water is 100% safe to drink!

Bottled Water in Amsterdam, Do You Need It?

With the quality of tap water in Amsterdam, you don’t need to buy bottled water. The biomass and total count of bacteria in Amsterdam tap water are very low and won’t compromise your health.

What’s more, since the water lacks disinfectants like chlorine and fluoride, you can rest assured it tastes really good. Additionally, tap water in Amsterdam is soft and has low calcium levels, which means it’s safe to use in electric kettles, showerheads and coffee makers. So, save your money and enjoy your water right from the tap.

What about Tap Water in Restaurants?

You may be wondering if it’s possible to get tap water in Amsterdam restaurants. Yes, it is! Most restaurants will offer you tap water if you request it. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant that insists they don’t have tap water so they can sell bottled water to you.

In Amsterdam, bottled water is considered wasteful, not just because of the plastic waste but also due to the transportation of it. However, you should expect to be charged a small fee for a carafe of tap water in an Amsterdam restaurant. The fee is to cover the costs of washing the carafes and glasses and the staff that brings the water to you.

Is Public Water in the Netherlands Safe to Drink?

The Dutch government is committed to ensuring that there’s safe water to drink even in the public areas. They installed their first drinking fountains and water taps in 1903, and you can still access water in public areas with ease.

In Amsterdam, there are public drinking fountains, also known as bubblers and water filler stations, and taps that are accessible all year round, 24/7. So, the next time you visit the Netherlands, and you get thirsty, save your coins, and indulge in the constant supply of fresh water!

Drink Up!

For a busy city like Amsterdam, it’s easy to assume no one has the time to put effort into maintaining a clean water supply. However, providing safe, clean water has been the Dutch government’s priority for a very long time. So, yes, you can drink tap water in the Netherlands, no matter which city you’re visiting.