Short answer: yes, malta tap water is safe to drink. It’s tested constantly, meets EU standards, and locals can technically drink it. But almost nobody does — including most Maltese — because it tastes strongly of chlorine and minerals, a direct result of how it’s produced. This guide explains why, what to do about it, and whether you actually need to buy bottled water for your entire trip.
Can You Drink Tap Water in Malta?
Can you drink tap water in malta is one of the most-searched travel questions about the country. The answer is a clear yes — Malta’s tap water meets all EU drinking water regulations and is rigorously tested daily by the Water Services Corporation (WSC). It’s chemically safe.
Can you drink the tap water in malta? Yes. Can you drink the water in malta? Also yes. Can you drink water in malta straight from the tap? Yes — the water is safe from a health standpoint in all cases. The catch is the taste, not the safety.
Most of Malta’s tap water comes from desalinated seawater (about 60%) mixed with groundwater (40%), then treated with chlorine for safety. The result is water that’s perfectly fine to drink but tastes distinctly like a swimming pool to most visitors. Locals have adapted to it; tourists rarely do.
What most people actually do:
- Use tap water for brushing teeth, rinsing fruit, cooking
- Drink bottled water for actual hydration
- Accept that restaurants serve bottled by default
- Use a simple water filter jug in Airbnbs for longer stays
So the better question isn’t “is it safe” but “do I enjoy drinking it” — and for most visitors, the answer is no.
Is Malta Tap Water Safe?
Is malta tap water safe? Yes — firm yes from a health standpoint. Is the tap water in malta safe to drink? Yes. Is tap water safe in malta? Yes. Is tap water safe to drink in malta? Yes. All variations of this question have the same answer: Malta’s Water Services Corporation tests water quality at hundreds of sampling points and publishes annual reports in line with EU directive 98/83/EC.
Key safety facts:
- Chlorine levels are within EU limits (0.2-0.5 mg/L at the tap)
- Bacterial counts consistently meet EU standards
- Fluoride is naturally present; no added fluoridation
- Lead pipes have been phased out in most of the network; some older buildings in Valletta and Sliema may still have legacy plumbing, which is why some residents use filters
For travellers: zero concern about illness from drinking tap water in malta. The only issue is taste preference. Pregnant travellers and people with sensitive stomachs sometimes prefer bottled water for peace of mind, but there’s no medical reason requiring it.
Malta Tap Water Cancer — Is There a Risk?
Malta tap water cancer is one of the more alarming searches people do before visiting. The concern usually relates to disinfection by-products (DBPs) — compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. At Malta’s levels, these are within EU regulatory limits and do not present an elevated cancer risk compared to drinking water in the UK, France or Germany. Malta’s water is no more risky in this respect than tap water in any other EU country. The EU framework that governs Malta’s water standards includes specific limits on trihalomethanes and other DBPs precisely because this concern exists — and Malta’s water meets them. Malta water safety is continuously monitored; if you find the chlorine taste off-putting, a carbon filter jug removes most DBPs as well as the chlorine taste.
Why Malta Tap Water Tastes Different
Malta is one of the driest countries in Europe. There are no rivers, no mountains, no significant natural freshwater sources. Three reverse-osmosis desalination plants at Pembroke, Ċirkewwa and Lapsi treat seawater and produce roughly 60% of the country’s drinking water. The rest comes from underground aquifers.
The combination produces water that’s:
- Slightly salty — residual minerals from desalination
- Heavily chlorinated — necessary for pipe safety in a warm climate
- Hard — high in calcium and magnesium, which build up as limescale on kettles
- Variable — taste can shift depending on neighbourhood, time of year, and which source is feeding your area
That’s why tap water malta doesn’t have a simple “yes drink it” answer like it does in Scotland or Norway. Is the water drinkable in malta? Technically yes — but palatably, for most people, no.
Bottled Water in Malta — Brands & Prices
If you go the bottled route — and most visitors do — you have plenty of options. Typical prices for bottled water malta:
- Supermarket (Welbee’s, Lidl, Greens) — 1.5L bottle €0.40-0.70, 6-pack €2-3.50
- Kiosk / corner shop — 500ml €0.80-1.20, 1.5L €1-1.50
- Tourist area (Paceville, Valletta promenade) — 500ml €1.50-2.50
- Beach vendor — 500ml €2-3
- Club / bar — 500ml €3-5
- Restaurant bottled water — 750ml €2-4 still, €3-5 sparkling
Brands you’ll see everywhere: Kristal water malta is Malta’s own brand, sourced from local springs and the most popular choice among locals — it’s what you’ll find cheapest at Welbee’s and Lidl. San Michel water malta is another Maltese brand widely available. Imported brands (Evian, San Pellegrino) are available in upmarket supermarkets and restaurants. Aquani water malta is a newer premium local option appearing in health-focused shops.
Practical Solutions for Travellers
Refillable Bottles & Filters
The most sustainable option. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it at your hotel or Airbnb. If the taste bothers you:
- Brita-style filter jug — €15-25 in supermarkets. Removes most chlorine taste and DBPs, fits in hotel fridge
- Bottle with built-in filter — LifeStraw, Bobble, or similar. €15-40. Filters as you drink, perfect for beach days
- Alkaline water malta — alkaline or ionised water is available in some health food shops and pharmacies if you have specific preferences
For a week-long trip with two people, a filter jug plus a local 5L bottle from Lidl beats buying daily bottles on cost and plastic waste.
Ice, Brushing Teeth & Cooking
All fine. Malta drinking water is safe enough that:
- Ice at restaurants and bars is made from tap water — no concern
- Brushing teeth with tap water is perfectly safe — all locals do this
- Washing fruit and vegetables with tap water is fine
- Cooking with tap water (pasta, rice, soups) is standard; boiling eliminates any residual chlorine taste
Water in Restaurants
Maltese restaurants almost always serve bottled water as the default. Asking for tap water will sometimes get an odd look — locals expect to buy bottled with their meal. Typical costs: still water (750ml) €2-4, sparkling €3-5. Order one large bottle for the table rather than individual small ones to save money.
Water Quality on Gozo & Comino
Gozo shares Malta’s water infrastructure, with a smaller desalination plant and connections to the main island grid. Tap water quality is identical. The same safety-yes / taste-meh pattern applies.
Comino has no permanent water infrastructure worth mentioning. Day-trippers should bring water; the single kiosk near the Blue Lagoon charges €3-4 for a 500ml bottle in summer.
Once you’ve got the water question sorted, plan the rest of your trip with our complete Malta holidays guide.
FAQ — Malta Tap Water
Can you drink tap water in Malta?
Can you drink tap water in malta: yes, it’s safe and meets EU standards. But it tastes strongly of chlorine and minerals, so most locals and tourists prefer bottled water for drinking.
Can you drink the tap water in Malta?
Can you drink the tap water in malta: yes. Can i drink tap water in malta: yes. Can i drink the tap water in malta: yes. All variations — the water is safe. The only issue is taste.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Malta?
Is it safe to drink tap water in malta: yes. Is it safe to drink water in malta: yes. Is tap water safe in malta: yes. Is the water in malta safe to drink: yes. Malta’s water meets all EU drinking water standards and is tested daily.
Is Malta tap water drinkable?
Malta tap water drinkable: yes, technically and legally. Is tap water drinkable in malta: yes. Is the water drinkable in malta: yes. Whether it’s pleasant to drink is a different question — most people find it too chlorinated.
Does Malta tap water cause cancer?
Malta tap water cancer: no elevated risk. Malta’s water meets EU limits on disinfection by-products (including trihalomethanes) that relate to this concern. The risk is no higher than drinking tap water in any other EU country. A carbon filter jug reduces these compounds further if you’re concerned.
Why does Malta tap water taste bad?
Because it’s about 60% desalinated seawater, with residual minerals, and heavily chlorinated for safety in Malta’s warm climate. The taste is “swimming pool” to most palates. It’s not harmful, just unpleasant.
What bottled water brands are in Malta?
Kristal water malta is the main local brand — cheapest and most widely available. San Michel water malta is another local option. Evian and San Pellegrino are available in supermarkets and restaurants.
Can I brush my teeth with Malta tap water?
Yes, absolutely. Brushing teeth, washing hands, showering — all perfectly fine with tap water in Malta.
Is the ice in drinks safe in Malta?
Yes. Ice at restaurants, bars and clubs is made from tap water, which is safe. No concerns.
Is tap water in Malta safe for babies?
Is tap water in malta safe for babies and infants: yes from a safety standpoint, but paediatricians often recommend using filtered or bottled water for infant formula preparation as a precaution, not because Malta’s water is unsafe but as general best practice. Most Maltese families use bottled or filtered water for babies.
→ Plan the rest of your trip with our complete Malta holidays guide
