Why Tap Water in Bali Isn’t Reliably Safe

Bali’s tap water isn’t always safe to drink. Aging infrastructure, polluted rivers, and inconsistent water treatment make quality unpredictable. Even treated water can harbor bacteria, parasites, chemicals, and heavy metals. Many treatment plants draw water from rivers that are already heavily polluted, while pipelines can leak or reintroduce contaminants. Access to safe tap water is also uneven, with some rural areas only 70–80% covered.

Water Infrastructure in Bali

Rapid tourism and population growth have sharply increased water demand. Between 1988 and 2013, tourism-related water use alone rose by about 295%. Meanwhile, the supply side struggles: pipelines are aging, treatment facilities are inadequate, and water resources are stressed. According to a report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), managing distribution networks and protecting sources remains a major challenge. Many drinking-water and sewer systems are unevenly developed, infrastructure losses weaken reliability, and river pollution further exacerbates the issue.

How to Stay Safe & Manage Water Use

For Visitors:

Drink bottled water from reputable brands, many hotels and shops provide it.
Refill a reusable bottle from safe sources (some hotels have filtered dispensers).
Carry a personal water filter if adventuring, but ensure it removes viruses/heavy metals.
Ask your accommodation about water sources and treatment (municipal, well, filtration, UV).
Use bottled/boiled/filtered water for brushing teeth and rinsing.
Avoid swallowing shower/bath water.
Check if ice and drinks are made from safe water.
Be extra careful during rainy or flood seasons when infrastructure may be stressed.

For Longer Stays or Residents:

For long-term stays or villas, consider a multi-stage filter/UV/RO system (e.g., sediment + carbon + UV + softening).
Monitor your health and observe how your body reacts; locals often drink boiled or filtered water instead of tap water.
Stay alert to local advisories or infrastructure issues that may affect water quality.

Final Thoughts

Stay safe with water in Bali – Bali’s tap water isn’t reliably safe to drink and can also be harsh on your skin and hair, often causing dryness or damage. Many hotels install shower filters to reduce chlorine, sediments, and other impurities, ensuring a gentler experience for guests.

For drinking and cooking, always use bottled, boiled, or properly filtered water. Refill reusable bottles from safe sources if available, and check that ice and drinks are made from filtered water. Carry a personal water filter if adventuring, and for long-term stays or villas, consider a multi-stage filtration system (sediment + carbon + UV + softening).

When brushing teeth, rinse with bottled, boiled, or filtered water. Avoid swallowing shower or bath water, and be extra cautious during rainy or flood seasons when infrastructure may be stressed. Locals often drink boiled or filtered water instead of relying on tap water, and monitoring your own health is important since repeated exposure carries risk.