Owais Crawford
While the tap water in Moscow is deemed safe to drink and meets all the necessary requirements, many people choose to drink bottled water or use filtration systems. This is due to the presence of different bacteria in the water that may affect those with Western stomachs, as well as the taste of the water, which some describe as weird. Boiling the water is also a common practice to ensure its safety for drinking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | The tap water in Moscow is considered safe to drink, but many people prefer to drink filtered or boiled water. |
| Taste | The tap water in Moscow is described as having a faint or weird taste, and it may be considered unpleasant by some. |
| Health Risks | There is a risk of gastrointestinal issues ("Gorbachev's Revenge") for those not accustomed to the local bacteria. |
| Infrastructure | Moscow's water treatment facilities are considered good, but some pipes are old and may affect water quality. |
| Official Recommendation | Mosvodokanal, the state body that monitors drinking water, confirms that tap water in Moscow is safe to drink. |
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What You'll Learn
Moscow tap water is safe to drink
While opinions vary on whether it is safe to drink Moscow's tap water, it is officially safe to drink. Moscow's tap water meets all the requirements approved by Russia's chief state sanitary inspector and is monitored by the state body Mosvodokanal.
Many people do drink Moscow's tap water and have not experienced any problems. One source states that Moscow's tap water is very clean and safe to drink long-term, lacking a strong taste. Another source states that they have been drinking tap water for over a year without any problems.
However, many people choose to boil or filter their water before drinking it. Some sources suggest that the tap water in Moscow is safe to drink after boiling, so tea and coffee are fine. It is also possible to buy bottled water or use a filter. Many people in Moscow have a filter system in their homes.
Some people suggest that the tap water in Moscow is unsafe for people who are not used to the bacteria in the water. One source states that there is a microbe in the water that makes tourists sick. Another source suggests that, while the water itself is clean, a lot of the pipes are old, so they use a filter.
Overall, while Moscow's tap water is officially safe to drink, many people choose to boil or filter it before drinking, and some people suggest that it may contain bacteria that could be harmful to those who are not used to it.
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Tap water tastes bad
There are differing opinions on the safety of drinking tap water in Moscow. Some people claim that it is safe to drink, while others advise against it. Officially, the tap water in Moscow is safe to drink and meets all the necessary requirements. However, many people still choose to use a filter or drink bottled water. This may be due to the taste of the tap water, which some describe as "river-like" or "pretty awful".
Tap water that tastes bad can be due to various reasons. Here are some common causes of unpleasant-tasting tap water:
- Chloride ions: Tap water with elevated levels of chloride ions can taste salty. While this is not necessarily harmful to your health, it can cause corrosion in your pipes.
- Sulfates: Sulfates occur naturally in certain soils and rocks, and as groundwater moves through the earth, it can pick up sulfates, resulting in a rotten egg taste and smell in your water.
- Metals: Tap water with elevated levels of metals such as iron, zinc, or manganese can have a metallic taste. This can be due to corrosion in pipes or plumbing components.
- Chlorine: Chlorine is added to tap water as a disinfectant, but it can give the water a chemical or medicinal taste. This taste may be stronger if the water has been boiled or left standing.
- Bacteria: Certain types of bacteria in the water can use sulfur for energy, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas, which gives the water a rotten egg taste and smell.
- Industrial waste: Contamination from industrial waste can introduce chemicals and pollutants into the water supply, affecting its taste and safety.
- Natural variations: The natural properties of drinking water can vary depending on the local geology, and the water can pick up different minerals as it flows through the ground.
If you are concerned about the taste of your tap water, you can consider installing a water filtration system or using bottled water. Additionally, you can contact your local water company to report the issue and request further advice or testing.
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Boiling tap water
While there are conflicting opinions on the safety of drinking tap water in Moscow, some sources suggest that boiling tap water can be a safe alternative to drinking it straight from the tap. Boiling tap water can be an effective way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites, making the water safer to drink. This method has been used for thousands of years and is still recommended by survival experts when there is no access to clean water.
To purify water through boiling, it is recommended to bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, or three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet. The high heat can damage the structural components of pathogens, including their outer shells and important proteins, rendering them harmless. However, it is important to note that boiling water does not remove all impurities and contaminants. For example, boiling water will not remove harmful substances such as chlorine, lead, microplastics, pesticides, fertilisers, industrial chemicals, hormones, medications, and heavy metals.
In addition, boiling water can be time-consuming and may impact energy bills. It is also important to consider that the taste of boiled tap water may be unpleasant to some people. As such, many people in Moscow opt for filtered water or bottled water instead of drinking tap water.
While boiling tap water can be a simple and effective way to improve water quality, it may not address all water quality concerns and could even make some issues worse. For example, boiling tap water with lead can actually concentrate this contaminant, making it more dangerous. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the specific water quality concerns in your area and consult official guidelines before relying on boiling as a method of water purification.
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Using water filters
While there are differing opinions on the safety of drinking Moscow's tap water, it is generally advised to drink bottled water or use a water filter. Water filters are devices that purify water by removing harmful contaminants, such as lead, arsenic, and disinfection byproducts, which may be present in tap water.
There are various types of water filters available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some common types of water filters:
- Countertop Filters: These filters are placed on countertops and are easy to install. They are effective at removing many contaminants, including disinfection byproducts, at a lower price.
- Carbon Filters: Carbon filters use activated carbon, derived from materials like coconut shells or wood, to trap and remove contaminants. They are effective at reducing chlorine, improving taste and odour, and reducing contaminants such as lead and volatile organic compounds.
- Reverse Osmosis Filters: These filters use a membrane to reduce microscopic contaminants and restore natural minerals. They are effective at removing arsenic, lead, and ammonia, improving taste and smell. However, they also remove beneficial minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium.
- Whole House Filters: These filters are installed at the point where water enters a house, ensuring all taps and appliances receive filtered water. They can be expensive and are usually unnecessary unless there are high levels of contaminants like radiologicals or iron.
- Point-of-Use Filters: These filters treat water only where needed, such as at the kitchen sink or refrigerator. They are more economical than whole-house filters but require multiple filters for different locations.
When choosing a water filter, consider your specific needs and water quality. If you want to address taste and odour, a carbon filter may be suitable. For removing microscopic contaminants, reverse osmosis systems are recommended. Additionally, consider the maintenance and replacement of filter cartridges, especially if you are immunocompromised, as filters can collect contaminants over time.
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Moscow's water treatment facilities
While there are differing opinions on the safety of drinking Moscow's tap water, it is officially safe to drink in the long term. However, many people prefer to boil it or use a filter. This is due to the presence of different bacteria that may affect people who are not local, as well as the potential for old pipes to affect the water's cleanliness.
Moscow's water treatment infrastructure has been developed over the years to keep up with the city's growing population and to minimise the environmental impact of its activities. The city's wastewater treatment plants collect and treat municipal and industrial wastewater before discharging it into natural water bodies.
The Kuryanovskiye WWTP and Lyuberetskiye WWTP are among the largest wastewater treatment plants in Europe. In 2012, the Kuryanovskiye WWTP installed the world's largest ultraviolet (UV) disinfection plant, with a capacity of 3.125 million cubic metres per day. The UV disinfection system helps to reduce the epidemiological risk for the Moscow water bodies by disinfecting the wastewater before it is discharged.
The Moscow UV system manufacturer LIT provided a compact modular UV system design to treat large volumes of water in the limited space available at the Kuryanovskiye WWTP. The UV installation consists of 17 open channels, each equipped with 5 UV banks in series. The UV system is fully automated and includes features such as automatic water level control to maintain the proper water level inside the disinfection channel.
In addition to the Kuryanovskiye WWTP and Lyuberetskiye WWTP, there are other water treatment plants in Moscow that are managed by private companies. For example, the South-West Moscow drinking water plant is operated by the Austrian EVN Group, while the French water company Veolia is engaged with the Southern Water Treatment Plant. These plants help to ensure that Moscow's water supply is safe for consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Moscow's tap water is considered clean and safe to drink, but many people prefer to drink filtered or boiled water. Some people suggest that the tap water may contain bacteria that could affect travellers who are not used to it.
It is likely that tap water in Moscow airports is safe to drink, but bottled water is probably more readily available and may be preferred by travellers.
Moscow tap water has been described as having a faint taste, but it is not considered unpleasant. Some people suggest that it tastes similar to tap water in London.
Tap water in other parts of Russia may not be safe to drink, and it is recommended to boil or filter water before drinking, especially in rural areas.
