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Is Brussels Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:54 am, May 23, 2022
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Can You Drink Tap Water in Brussels?

Yes, tap water is drinkable.

Tap Safe includes data from many publicly available sources, including the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Center for Disease Control), and user submitted databases, but unfortunately there's not enough data about Brussels.

To see user submitted ratings of the water quality for Belgium, see the "User Submitted Ratings" box on this page.

Brussels Tap Water

The tap water that comes out of Brussels is known by many as having a French flavor. It has a distinctive taste, which’s a little bit unusual compared to other European waters like British or German ones. This is probably because it was historically from Mont France, a region of Belgium. Since then, it has just kept that name. Regardless, you should take note that it still has that signature taste. If you’re planning on traveling to this beautiful part of Europe, you might as well take advantage of it.

There are a few ways that you can get around buying bottled water in Brussels. One is to get a tap water purifier that will remove all of the chlorine, which is supposedly the leading cause of bad-tasting tap water in this city. Another option is to use bottled water, which comes with a whole host of conveniences and benefits. The downside to bottled water is that it can be costly, especially if you want entire bottles of it; therefore, it’s a good idea to balance it out with cheaper drinking water from the local vendors at the market.

Suppose you want to enjoy Brussels tap water without spending too much money. In that case, you should try to consume de-chlorinated water regularly. Water that contains less than 0.3 milligrams of chlorine can be considered safe for consumption by most people. This includes children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the immune-compromised. You can also filter your water at home with a home water filter system that you can purchase online or at the store.

You can drink tap water in Brussels, Belgium. As far as the World Health Organization or European Union is concerned, Brussels, Belgium tap water passed the quality standard for drinking water. They also proved that the tap water is healthier than bottled water in Brussels. Authorities managed the quality of water seriously.

Brussels

About the taste, it may vary in place you are staying. Especially if you live or stay in an old household or building, the color and flavor may be different from the other. Using old pipes might cause contamination to your tap water. They use little chlorine for treatment to ensure safety. If you will compare the taste of water in Brussels, it is better than tap into New York. To lessen the taste of chlorine, we suggest that you leave the water in your fridge for a few hours. Or in some cases, you may also boil the water for a minute.

Since 2013, in the shade of Saint Michel and Gudule Cathedral, exists a free water fountain of a particular kind. In addition to offering open drinkable water, you also have the option of it being warm or cold and even sparkling water. As you walk downtown, they have available potable water fountains in the area. Hydrating is not an issue; potable water is available almost everywhere.

Brussels Drinking Water

Drinking-Water in Brussels is not too difficult to acquire as long as you know where to get it. A great place to begin would be with your local supplier, whether that’s publicly owned or not. They know when the supply runs out and will order it from there. Most often, the supply is quite regular, though it does happen sometimes. If this happens to you, are you getting faucet-mounted units? You can always call your supplier, and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

If you still have no luck with the water providers, you can also try the municipal water company. You can either go to their offices or purchase a simple tap water filtering system to set up at your home. These are pretty easy to install and low cost. The water tastes great when filtered through carbon, and they even taste better if filtered through charcoal. They are cheap, easily installed. The only drawback is that you have to constantly replace the filter to ensure quality water.

Regardless of who you turn to, you will need to make sure that you never pay for contaminated water. This can prove costly in the long run, and you could end up paying a lot more than you need to. If you use tap water, you know that it can be hard to trust and must have it tested to ensure that it is clean. By having your water tested, you can have peace of mind knowing that you and your family are safe.

Brussels Bottled Water

Brussels is well known as the “capital of Europe”. It is a gorgeous natural setting, shopping and cultural attractions are a significant draw. It has become home to a wide variety of visitors and populations, from tourists staying for a special event or a short stay to work to long-term stays for diplomats or those who enjoy a vacation as many do. One advantage to having your water delivered to your hotel is the variety of water stations and purification systems each establishment has. Some of the larger hotels offer multiple water stations, including ones located in their buildings on the property, and others located throughout the property, providing clean, purified water anywhere in the hotel. Some hotels also have vending machines that allow patrons to get water directly from the tap at their convenience.

Another option when looking for an easy way to filter tap water is to rent one of the many filter systems available at your hotel. Water filter systems generally attach to the kitchen faucet and can easily filter water as needed. However, some systems need to be connected to the mainline of a home water intake system. Many of these systems use a combination of carbon and ceramic filtration to provide purified water, remove chlorine and other chemicals from the water that may be present, and provide it with the minerals and other nutrients necessary to maintain hydration. These systems offer deionized and PH balanced water, which means it will not have an unpleasant aftertaste and will not create stomachaches or other illnesses. Some systems require replacement cartridges or replacements from time to time. Still, they are usually less expensive than purchasing bottled water, and the filters themselves will last several years.

There is no need to purchase tap water when staying in Brussels, as it is known for its excellent quality water. It is easy to find a water purification system that is right for you and your budget. It will eliminate the need to stock up on bottles of purified water while on vacation. With various methods to choose from, it should be possible to find one that fits into any size traveler or stay budget. Brussels bottled water is not only convenient, but it is also healthy. For the environmentally conscious, it is possible to filter the water in the bottle and use it at home to filter the water and remove the unwanted chemicals and impurities.

Brussels Water Supply

In the Belgian city of Brussels, there is an underground river called La Source that supplies the city with its water supply. The city was first discovered by archaeologists in the early 8th century and was known as Old Valais. Known as the ‘Watergate of the French’, it is believed that the city got its name because of the underground channel that ran through the city. However, this channel was later used for transportation, banking and communications, and water supply.

There are many other water sources throughout Europe. Still, none is as good or reliable as the Brussels water supply. The city has maintained this excellent water supply system even today, using several different gravity-flow techniques, rainfall, and surface water. Water is pumped from wells deep in the foothills to faucets at street corners. It is distributed to homes, commercial establishments, and industries through pipelines. This ensures that all Brussels areas have clean water and no contaminated water remains in any part of the city. This ensures the quality of drinking water in Brussels and the entire Belgian region.

The water supply in Brussels is very reliable. It is responsible for the smooth running of the city’s water system. It is also responsible for the maintenance and repair of significant infrastructure in the city. For instance, if a pipeline is damaged or there is a defect, it can be repaired quickly and easily with the water pipes network’s help. This ensures that Brussels’ city continues to function smoothly without any interruption or cut down in services.

Brussels Drinking Tap Water

What is it about Brussels drinking tap water that makes people so nervous and worried? The thing about tap water in Brussels is that it’s a pretty dirty city. There have been many reports of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants being found in tap water. Even a benzene report was located in Brussels’ drinking water, which caused a lot of concern because benzene is a hazardous chemical. The fact that benzene is carcinogenic caused a lot of scientists to become alarmed. It prompted several investigations into exactly what had gone on in Brussels and the impact that the benzene may have had on the health of those living in the area. Ultimately, none of these tests have been able to pinpoint exactly what the problem was.

However, it was soon realized that this was an isolated incident. The source of the contamination was quite simple. As you may know, benzene happens to be an extremely flammable substance. Because of this, this particular contamination became a cause for concern. Water gets its color from carbon dioxide. When this gas meets with oxygen, it gives off an ignite, which is the same thing that gave us plagues in days gone by, like bubonic plague death. It was, therefore, easy to see that this contamination had potentially dangerous implications.

About this latest incident in Brussels drinking tap water, some quick investigations took place, which has since rectified the situation. There have been no traces of benzene found in any of the tap water samples taken due to this research. This is good news for Brussels and consumers all over the country.

Source of Water in Brussels, Belgium

The primary source of water in Belgium is from surface water. The water distribution is coming from five river basins. Brussels get water from the Scheldt river basin and the Maas river basin that came from the sea that flows in the Netherlands. Other sources of tap water are springs and groundwater. The local government took a leading role, while the municipalities maintained an essential function for ensuring water supply and treatment.

An impressive perspective of the Belgian water and sanitation sector is the acknowledgment of a fundamental right to water. The Walloon and Brussels Regions have set up Social Funds for Water, which provide financial support to people having difficulties in paying their water bills.

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FAQs about Brussels Water

Is the water in Brussels safe to drink?
Tap water in Belgium is completely safe to drink. In some cases, it is even healthier than mineral water from bottles you buy in the shop, as this can contain too many minerals.
How hard is the water in Brussels?
The average water hardness in Region de Bruxelles-Capitale is 0 dH.
Is water in Belgium hard?
In Belgium, there are areas with harder water than other places. On the whole, in Flanders, with the exception of Limburg, one can find semi-hard and hard water. Whereas in Limburg the water is rather soft. In the province of Hainaut, Liege but also Namur you can also find relatively soft water.
Is Brussels Tap Water Safe To Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.24 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Brussels tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 35% Low
  • Water Pollution 45% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 65% High
  • Water Quality 55% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Brussels, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Current Weather in Brussels

BRUSSELS WEATHER

Some of the Local Convenience Stores in Brussels

Carrefour Express
Carrefour Express
  • White night
  • Spar Express
  • Le Coin Bleu
  • Louis Delhaize - Porte de Hal
  • Alimentation Générale Sarah
  • Carrefour Express
  • La Bunicuta
  • Superette Nataneli
  • Au Bon Coin Sprl
  • ARARAT NIGHTSHOP
  • Brussels Shop
  • Stop and Save Night Shop
  • Kam Yuen Supermarket
  • Black Night Press Shop & Food Store

Estimated Price of Bottled Water

VolumeEURUSDGBP
1.5-liter€0.94$1.04£0.85
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