The Middle East
Can you drink the tap water in the Middle East?
Last reviewed September 2026
Much of the Middle East relies on desalination and produces clean water at the plant, but old building plumbing and rooftop storage mean many locals still filter or buy bottled water despite a safe public supply. On our index the 15 countries in The Middle East average 62/100 — but that average hides a wide spread, from Israel (88) down to Yemen (18). Scores above 70 mean tap water is generally safe to drink. 40–69 means treat it with caution — filtering or bottled water is wise. Below 40 means it’s best avoided straight from the tap.
Tap water safety in the Middle East, ranked
Every country in The Middle East, highest score first. Tap any country for its full breakdown.
Traveling in the Middle East: what to do about tap water
Because the range across The Middle East is so wide, the safe rule is to check the specific country before you go rather than assume the region is uniform. In any country scoring under 70, treat the tap water — a rolling boil handles microbes, a certified filter or sealed bottled water covers the rest, and it is worth being cautious with ice and raw produce too. Where a country scores 70 or above, the tap water is generally safe to drink and a refillable bottle is the cheaper, greener choice.
See also our guide on tap water safety while traveling and the full methodology.
Common questions about tap water in the Middle East
Can you drink the tap water in the Middle East?+
It varies by country. Of the 15 countries in The Middle East on our index, 7 rate as safe to drink, 4 are best treated with caution, and 4 are best avoided from the tap. The safest is Israel (88/100); the least safe is Yemen (18/100).
Which country in The Middle East has the safest tap water?+
Israel, scoring 88/100 — safe to drink. Open its page for the full breakdown.
Do you need bottled water in the Middle East?+
In the countries that score below 70 you should filter, boil, or buy bottled water; where a country scores 70+ the tap water is generally safe and bottled water is optional. Check the individual country before you travel — the range within The Middle East is wide.