Tap water in Dubai is drinkable. However, hotels that have dirty water tanks and pipes may taint the water, rendering it unfit to drink. Therefore, to be sure, it is better to drink bottled water.
Dubai is a desert city with a hot climate. Unlike tropical countries, Dubai is not rich in natural resources. Due to advanced technology, the UAE can find ways to produce potable water approved by the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).
There are only two water sources in Dubai: groundwater and seawater.
Groundwater levels are not enough to cater to millions of residents in Dubai. Because of this, about 99% of drinkable water in Dubai comes from desalinated seawater.
The desalination process is done by boiling the seawater and letting it steam cool after. The evaporated water is filtered and treated to make it safe to drink, bathe with, and use in industries.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) makes sure that the water supply is safe and meets the guidelines given by the World Health Organization. Aside from WHO, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) concluded that tap water in Dubai is safe to drink.
However, some factors affect the quality of water:
- Water Tanks
- Water pipes
Hotels use water tanks to provide water for drinking, washing, and fire emergency purposes.
At the time of delivery from the plant, tap water is perfectly safe to consume. The problem is not the water distributed from the plants. Dirty water tanks of establishments and residents are perfect for bacteria such as Legionella to contaminate the water.
Other than bacteria, dirty water tanks may carry contaminants from plastic or sediments. The residues from the water can accumulate over time and result in the growth of fungus and molds.
Establishments and residents must clean their water tanks at least once every six months.
Like water tanks, water pipes must always be clean. Water pipes can cause corrosion and pollution. Water going through dirty water pipes tastes awful.
Periodically, establishments and residents must clean their water pipes. They can also use biodegradable biocide disinfectants to deal with the problem.
If the water is contaminated, you may catch diseases like cholera, amoeba, dysentery, hepatitis A, and so on. You can ask your hotel how frequently they clean their water pipes and tanks. However, bottled water is preferable to tap water if you want to be sure and feel safe.
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Is water free in Dubai Hotels?
Hotel guests in Dubai have access to free tap water. The Dubai Food Code 2020 encourages hotels and restaurants to serve filtered tap water to bottled water. Filtered tap water is safer than drinking directly from the faucet.
Dubai Food Code set new regulations for hotels and restaurants. As of 2020, hotels and restaurants are encouraged to offer guests and customers filtered tap water.
According to Amal Albedwawi, Dubai Municipality’s control unit head for drinking water, guests and customers can pick between bottled water and filtered tap water.
In any case, the tap water provided by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is safe to drink. However, some people still doubt the cleanliness of the water tanks and pipes of the restaurants and hotels. To eradicate this issue, Dubai Food Code included tap water regulations.
Due to the implementation of the Dubai Food Code 2020, the following are the list of advantages:
- The issue with water quality lessens. It assures guests and customers that they are drinking filtered tap water. If you are drinking from a dirty water tank and pipeline, water filters remove debris and contaminants making the water cleaner and safer to drink.
- Bottled waters can be expensive. Sometimes with unsure water quality, people opt to buy bottled waters instead. With the new regulations, guests and customers can now ask for free filtered water instead of spending money on bottled water.
- Dubai can now lessen its plastic pollution. The updated guidelines are a new solution to the rising use of plastic bottles. Consumers are more encouraged to drink from the tap and results in a reduction in plastic consumption.
Wyndham Hotel even started to launch its filtered water system. Because of this initiative, they can save 306,000 bottles and more from going to landfills yearly.
Most hotels and restaurants have already practiced serving filtered tap water to guests and customers. But with the Dubai Food Code 2020, all hotels and restaurants are encouraged to follow.
Tap water vs. bottled water in Dubai
If you’re wondering which is better, there’s just a slight difference in quality between tap and bottled water in Dubai. Although bottled water tastes better than tap water, the health benefits are likely the same.
Dubai has a bad reputation when it comes to its water supply. Until now, rumors are still circulating. A lot of people believe that drinking and using tap water is unsafe. Because of the misconception, people prefer bottled water to tap water.
As a tourist, you probably consider drinking bottled water to ensure you won’t get any disease. However, bottled water has its cons as well.
To help you with your queries, we have listed the differences between tap water and bottled water in Dubai:
Tap Water
Reasons to drink tap water in Dubai:
- Tap water in Dubai hotels is free.
- DEWA, EEG, and Dubai Municipality assure that tap water is safe to drink.
- Hotels and restaurants are encouraged to serve filtered water.
To stay hydrated throughout the day, you need to drink eight glasses of water. Eight glasses of water are equal to 2 liters of bottled water. Since 500ml bottled water can cost you around Dh2, you’ll be spending about Dh3.375 a day.
It may seem cheap, but why spend money if you can drink water for free?
The UAE government and its regulatory bodies assure people that tap water is drinkable. DEWA complies with the strict standards by the WHO.
With advanced technology, the water supply in Dubai is monitored and processed carefully.
The problem is not with the plants supplying the water. The unmaintained and dirty water tanks and water pipes in establishments and residential areas cause water contamination.
That’s why the regulatory bodies always remind people to clean their water tanks at least once every six months and clean their water pipes periodically.
The Dubai Food Code 2020 encourages hotels and restaurants to serve filtered tap water to the guests and consumers.
The water filter eliminates impurities such as odor, residuals, chlorine, and bacteria found in the water. Walter filters use ultraviolet light to treat the water to make it hygienic and safe before using.
Reasons not to drink tap water in Dubai:
- Dubai water is hard.
- Drinking from tap water is not entirely safe.
- Tap water is hot due to the temperature in Dubai.
Since seawater is the source of drinkable water in Dubai, it tastes different than spring water. Two dissolved minerals are found in hard water: magnesium and calcium.
The dissolved materials in the water make it undrinkable for people who drink soft water.
If you drink straight from tap water in hotels, chances are the water tanks and water pipes may not be clean.
Although there are strict regulations on maintaining the cleanliness of water tanks and water pipes, you can’t be entirely sure if it is well maintained.
It will help if you ask the hotel how often they keep their tanks and pipes in good condition.
Due to the hot temperature in the city, tap water is not cold. You need to refrigerate or put ice in your water.
Bottled Water
Reasons to buy bottled water in Dubai:
- You can buy cheap bottled water in Dubai.
- Bottled water tastes better.
- Buying bottled water is convenient.
Local brands are less expensive than international brands. Prices can range from Dh1 to Dh2 for 500ml of bottled water. 1.5 liters of bottled water can only cost you about Dh2.25.
Bottled companies use reversed osmosis. Reversed osmosis makes the water tastes better by removing all the minerals in the water.
For people who are not used to the taste of desalinated water, bottled water is the best choice.
It is easier and faster to buy bottled water than asking hotel staff how they handle their water tanks and water pipes. The thought of drinking from bottled water gives you a sense of safeness.
Reasons not to buy bottled water:
- Plastic contains hazardous substances.
- Bottled water companies use tap water.
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Contrary to the norm that bottled water is better, 9 out of 10 bottled water uses a water filter. Bottled water and filtered tap water are likely the same.
The difference is that bottled water gives you a sense of safeness while filtered water can be a hassle.
- Single-use plastic harms the environment.
Dubai is a desert city with a hot climate throughout the year. The chance of plastic contamination is high when bottled waters are out in the sun.
In addition, chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) might leak into the water if you use the bottles repeatedly.
The United Nations encourages nations around the world to combat plastic pollution. The 36 percent of 400million tons of plastic is from single-use plastic.
The UAE government is helping solve the problem of plastic. Several regulatory bodies are trying to erase the myth that tap water in Dubai is harmful.
There are many reasons to drink bottled water, just as there are for drinking tap water. It is left for you to decide what works best for you.
List of the best drinking water in Dubai
Even though tap water in Dubai is drinkable, several people still prefer bottled water. Below are the top 6 best drinking water in Dubai:
- Masafi Water
- Mai Dubai
- Nestle Pure Life
- Oasis Pure Water
- Falcon Bottled Drinking Water
- Falcon Bottled Drinking Water
The demand for bottled water in Dubai is high. Due to the high demand, businesses selling drinking water have emerged. The following are the top 6 best drinking water in Dubai that we recommend:
- Masafi Water
- Mai Dubai Co.
- Nestle Pure Life
- Oasis Pure Water
- Falcon Bottled Drinking Water
- Al Ghadeer Water Bottle
Masafi is the oldest drinking water brand in Dubai. Masafi provides sodium-free water. The water codex of this water brand is 34. With its high water codex, the water produced by Masafi tastes better.
Location: Masafi Park, P.O.Box 5603, 8th St- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +97143465959
Price: Dh17.25 for a 4-gallon bottle
DEWA owns Mai Dubai. This brand has low sodium content on its water.
Location: Al Qudra Road- Yalayas, Dubai- United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +97148858905
Price: Dh8 per bottle
Nestle is an international brand. As a result of the sunshine combination of mineral content, Nestle Pure water has a distinct pleasant flavor.
Location: Warehouse 9 Street 9, Industrial Area7, Sharjah, Dubai-United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971564097788
Price: Dh11 per bottle
Among the drinking water brands, Oasis Pure Water stresses renewable packaging. They are active in doing community and eco-friendly efforts. Medical clinics in Gauteng recommend Oasis Pure Water.
Location: D 59 Road, Dubai- United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971600522261
Price: Dh14 per bottle
Falcon is a leading producer of drinking water in Dubai. Falcon is superior to most other water brands in the country in terms of quality. The brands’ strict adherence to the standards assures its consumers of its water quality.
Location: Office 518, Bayan Business Center, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai- United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +9718006669
Price: Dh15 per carton
Al Ghadeer products are quality checked by passing through numerous processes to assure excellent manufacture. This brand obtained a license from the Food Control Authority in Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Municipality.
Location: Al Ain, Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +97137211353
Price: Dh3
Does Dubai water cause hair loss?
There is a myth going around that water in Dubai causes hair loss. Results from research studies conclude that there is no evidence supporting this myth. Instead, hair loss happens because of lack of vitamin D, heat and sun exposure, and genetics.
Hair loss is a common problem for people living in Dubai. If you ask them, they often blame the water in Dubai for this.
According to Lars Skjøth, Danish hair loss specialists’ founder and researcher, the water in Dubai is not the cause of hair loss. Another research from Dr. Mike Ryan came up with the same conclusion. Therefore, the water in Dubai has nothing to do with hair loss.
Hair loss usually results from lack of vitamin D, heat and sun exposure, and genetics. According to studies, genetics is most likely the cause of hair loss. Therefore, the common misconception that Dubai water causes hair loss must stop.
