Hello: Since I have never traveled in Spain or Portugal, I don't know if the faucet water is safe to drink or not. I am assuming it is in that it is in Europe, but I have been traveling in Central and South American - and you definitely can't drink the water below the US southern border. Please let me know, also, how much drinking water usually costs. Many thanks,
kathleen

Hi again, Kathleen!
I believe there's a thread on this topic here on the message board so try a SEARCH.

But in short, you'll find that water in the cities on the Iberian Peninsula is quite safe for "American" stomachs. I've never had problems. In fact, water treatment plant standards in the cities are typically higher than those in the USA. Places in the countryside, however, may be a different case although it's rather hit-and-miss. I've never had any "stomach issues" after visiting any of Spain's smallest villages but different stomachs can handle different microbes, of course.

Anyone else have feedback on this topic? Saludos, MadridMan

Just having returned from traveling in the cities and in the country I by one obttle of bottled water and then reuse it as often as I need refilling from the fountains in the village and the kitchfaucets. Never had an issue even while walking many miles.

Drink the water...it's safe...both in the city and the country...and as the Spanairds say...el agua (española) es dulce.

During the summer in Spain it is very (and I underline very) hot...and dry. The people will tell you that you need to drink about 2 gallons a day to by hydrated. Even when you order it, they usually give you it from the sink (del grifo)...with ice.

Sheryl

I have great memories of stopping and drinking at the many springs (always accompanied by a statue and/or plaque blessing those who passed) in the mountains of Galicia. Never had a problem.

Great! I drink a lot of water and when it's hot, I drink more. Thanks.

I'll suggest to drink bottled water in coast villages because sink water it has usually bad taste (too many minerals).

Water is always drinkable in Spain, both in urban and country places. However, if you see the words "Agua no potable" that means water is not ready for human consume.

Fernando

Kathleen,

Madrid's tap water is simple delicious! (as delicious as water can be). I miss it so much when I'm out of town

think PIM is right, been here for two months....drinking tap water ever since and still alive with no major mishaps...

I was advised to not drink the tap water whilst in Spain!? Hmm...? Maybe it was to boost the sales of bottled water! heehee

Hmm. I think many Brits have their first experience of Spain on the Mediterranean coast where the quality of water is not particularly great, and this is why Englishrose has heard bad things about the tap water. I certainly would stick to bottled water in somewhere like Valencia. Water in Madrid is totally ok though!

What happens in the part of the Mediterranean coast (Practically from Catalonia to Almeria)is that it has lots of minerals. Even though is safe from bacteria and microlife point of view it doesn't have the best taste.

EU (incl.ES/PT)drinking water standards are equal to or STRICTER then most places in North America...

When I was in Madrid, I drank straight from the tap...Madrid water tasted better then the tap water of the ~20 large (1 Million+ ha) North American cities I've been too...

I have never had any problems with the water in Spain. However, I had a friend travel with me once and he drank from a water fountain in our hostal in Sevilla and was sick for a few days. Sometimes, there are just differences that can cause a reaction in your body as you adjust.

Down here on the south coast of Andalucía the water is fine to drink, but as has been mentioned, has more minerals in it than in other areas which affects the taste. I generally use tap water for making tea or coffee, and for cooking, but if I want a drink of water, I'll buy a bottle from the local chop's chiller cabinet. The minerals also tend to clog up household appliances like steam irons and washing machines, so you have to be a bit careful.
Incidentally, we've had a *very* cold and dry winter, and while we are NOT facing drought conditions, it looks like we may have water restrictions imposed on us during the summer, which seems to have arrived early this year. Some reservoirs are very low indeed and the water authorities are considering what to do.
And if you thought the Costa del Sol was always hot and sunny, we had snow and frost in the coastal towns in late January, for the first time in 50 or 80 years (depending on who you ask!)