The one surefire way to ruin a holiday is by getting sick. And the most common way of falling victim to illness while traveling abroad is by drinking contaminated water. Not every country or even city has potable tap water. Greece is no exception.
Only tap water in major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki is entirely safe for drinking. Smaller regions and islands do not have adequate infrastructure, maintenance, and water sources for tap water to meet the quality and safety standards of what passes as potable water.
Worrying about waterborne diseases is the last thing you should be doing on vacation. Get yourself clued up on the water situation in the various areas of Greece to ensure you remain safe, healthy, and adequately hydrated.
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Is Tap Water In All Of Greece Safe For Consumption?
If you are asking in a general sense, you may be met with different answers depending on the area in which you are residing. Cities with higher populations require potable tap water that is of good quality and consistently monitored for its residents.
The tap water in major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki is potable. These cities receive water from lakes, reservoirs, and the man-man Lake Marathon. While the water is safe for consumption in these cities, the taste of it has many locals and tourists opting for bottled water. In 2018 the pipelines in Thessaloniki broke down three times in the span of two months due to hyperchlorination.
The further out you venture in Greece may see a decline in the quality and drinkability of the tap water, with some places having non-potable tap water.
Areas In Greece Where Tap Water Is Not Safe For Drinking
Many popular holiday destinations, such as the Greek islands, do not have tap water that is safe for drinking. Areas with non-potable tap water include:
- Santorini
- Mykonos
- Heraklion
- Salamis
- Siteia
- Ioannina
Extra caution should be exercised in these areas where your drinking water is concerned.
Islands such as Kimolos, Milos, Halki, Patmos, Irakleia, Schoinoussa, Symi, and Kastelorizo have had their water shipped in for over the last 10 years. Even though the utmost care is taken during this process, there are still ample opportunities for contamination to occur.
If you drink tap water from these areas and it has not undergone any kind of treatment or boiling, there is a chance that it will make you ill.
There are some islands in Greece where you should be cautious about your tap water, but you may find the area itself has restaurants and homes that have adapted plumbing and taps to receive water from a natural spring. Even so, opting for bottled water in these areas is still the safest option.
How Water Systems In Greece Affect the Water’s Drinkability
As mentioned, major cities have water that is considered safe to drink. However, the smaller, more remote areas and islands have tap water unsuitable for drinking. The leading reason for this is that the water supply to these places results from drilling into groundwater wells.
Monitoring these water sources’ quality is not as up to par as they are in the major cities. Smaller remote areas are prone to contaminating groundwater wells with nitrates through agricultural runoff. This is not to say that the tap water here is 100% unsafe, but there is that risk. The drinkable tap water would have been heavily treated and has a distinct chlorine or salty taste.
Some water sources come via old pipelines and have trace amounts of lead as a result. Many of the water systems in Greece are archaic and have not been maintained, which can and has resulted in corrosion. In Greece, tap water can possibly be contaminated with microplastics, lead, nitrate, and even asbestos.
If Water Is Not Potable, Can It Be Used For Other Things?
The tap water in the region you are visiting may not be suitable for you to drink, but you shouldn’t have any issues using it for bathing, washing, cooking, and brushing your teeth. Many cautious tourists prefer to use bottled water to clean their teeth as an added precaution.
One more thing to consider with regard to consuming tap water is ice. Use bottled water if you are making your own ice cubes, and do not hesitate to ask restaurant, hotel, or bar staff where the water for the ice has come from. If non-potable water has been frozen, it will have no impact on the possible health risks contained within that water.
The Ongoing Water Crisis And How It Is Being Managed
In addition to the financial crisis that has plagued Greece, they have also been dealing with an ongoing water crisis. Severe droughts and poor infrastructures have left this country in a distressing situation concerning water supply.
Many areas in Greece have had to be supplied with water via tanks. Desalination plants have been in the pipeline, but this kind of technology comes at quite a cost. While the government is working on this problem on a much larger scale, residents need to self-govern their water consumption, implement water-saving fixtures and appliances, and adapt their daily lifestyles.
Alternatives To Tap Water In Greece
If you are traveling in Greece and would rather not drink tap water, consider the following alternatives:
- Locally sourced reputable bottled water such as ZARO’S
- Another brand of imported bottled water you are familiar with and comfortable with, such as Evian® water.
- Make use of filtration tablets
- Use a water bottle that is specifically designed to filter tap water.
- Use a water filtration straw.
Conclusion
Before embarking on your Grecian explorations, research the various areas you will be staying in and the drinkability of their tap water. If you are residing at a hotel, Airbnb, or hostel, check with the host if the tap water is potable. Ultimately the general consensus is that tourists should opt to drink only bottled water, especially outside of the major cities, just to stay on the safe side and to avoid any illness that would put a damper on your holiday experience.