Is Sao Paulo Tap Water Safe To Drink?

No, tap water is not 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 Sao Paulo.

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

Is it safe to drink Sao Paulo tap water? Tap water in Brazilian cities such as Sao Paulo tastes awful but is generally safe to drink. In isolated areas, tap water may be suspect. Be sure to inquire about the status of water during your stay, as most of the hotels and guesthouses filter their water. One effective method of water purification is to boil tap water for at least one minute. Other methods include using a water filter, ultraviolet light (such as a steripen) and iodine pill.

Source of Water in Sao Paulo, Brazil

The primary source of water in Sao Paulo is surface water, and the secondary source is groundwater. The Brazilian water waste management (Sabesp) and municipal utilities get their water from surface water. On the other hand, groundwater supplies water to homes, apartment buildings, and service providers.

If your lodging does not provide filtered water, we recommend buying bottled water. The water from the tap will likely be safe but buying water bottles will help you avoid ingesting harmless bacteria you will encounter in a foreign country.

City residents claim that they do not drink tap water, even if it is supposed to be safe. However, they do use it for everything else (brushing teeth, cooking, etc.) Most residents have a built-in filter attached to their tap.

In Brazil, the water and wastewater services comply with the Ministry of Health guidelines, which include water treatment plants equipped with fluoridation. Following a 1974 federal law, about 70 million people in Brazil now have access to fluoridated water.

When Deciding Which Water to Drink in Brazil, here are Some Things to Keep in Mind:

• Bottled mineral water is usually served in Brazilian restaurants. Therefore, water won’t be brought to your table until you order it, and it will usually cost more than it does at supermarkets and bakeries.
• As a rule, water filters are not open to guests in Brazil hotels. You’ll find bottled mineral water in your suite’s mini-fridge which is typically more expensive than store-bought water.
• The production of mineral water in Brazil is well controlled and monitored. However, the Brazilian Association of Mineral Water Industries advises that consumers look for the Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde) registration number on the label.
• Avoid drinking water that is untraceable. In rural areas, only drink water from wells or springs if you are sure they’re safe from pesticides and other contaminants. Follow CDC’s safe food and water advice when unsure of water quality in Brazil.

Related links:

• Food and Drink in Brazil
• Water Quality in Brazil