Capital city in District of Columbia, United States
Can you drink tap water in Washington, D.C.?
Can you drink the tap water in Washington, D.C.?
Tap water is safe to drink. Tap water is safe; DC Water treats it from the Potomac River. Lead pipes exist in some older buildings, so use filters if you stay long.
Key facts
- In Washington, D.C.: Tap water is safe; DC Water treats it from the Potomac River. Lead pipes exist in some older buildings, so use filters if you stay long.
- Across United States: Tap water is safe almost everywhere. Local boil-water notices happen occasionally after storms or pipe breaks and are announced by the city.
- Safely managed drinking water: 98% of people in United States (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water across United States
| Place | Tap water |
|---|---|
| New York City | Yes, drinkable |
| Las Vegas | Yes, drinkable |
| Los Angeles | Yes, drinkable |
| Orlando | Yes, drinkable |
| Miami | Yes, drinkable |
| San Francisco | Yes, drinkable |
| Honolulu | Yes, drinkable |
| Washington, D.C. | Yes, drinkable |
| Chicago | Yes, drinkable |
| Boston | Yes, drinkable |
| New Orleans | Yes, drinkable |
| San Diego | Yes, drinkable |
| Seattle | Yes, drinkable |
| Maui | Yes, drinkable |
| Nashville | Yes, drinkable |
| Austin | Yes, drinkable |
| Miami Beach | Yes, drinkable |
| Key West | Yes, drinkable |
| Denver | Yes, drinkable |
| Philadelphia | Yes, drinkable |
| Portland | Yes, drinkable |
| Atlanta | Yes, drinkable |
| San Antonio | Yes, drinkable |
| Charleston | Yes, drinkable |
| Savannah | Yes, drinkable |
| Fort Lauderdale | Yes, drinkable |
| Kauai | Yes, drinkable |
| Big Island | Yes, drinkable |
| Sedona | Yes, drinkable |
| Scottsdale | Yes, drinkable |
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Washington, D.C.?
Tap water is safe to drink. Tap water is safe; DC Water treats it from the Potomac River. Lead pipes exist in some older buildings, so use filters if you stay long.
Can you drink tap water in United States?
Tap water is safe almost everywhere. Local boil-water notices happen occasionally after storms or pipe breaks and are announced by the city.
More about Washington, D.C.
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Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF)
- CDC: food and water safety for travelers
- WMATA (Metrorail and Metrobus)
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- Destination DC (tourism)
- DC Water
Verdicts reflect official utility statements and what locals actually do. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.