Last year it was a pretty big scandal when an American recommendation listed a number of Eastern European countries, among them Hungary as a place where the consumption of tap water is not recommended. This is obviously not true, and the Budapest Waterworks objectively refuted all misleading information. Now we collected all information about the tap water to be sure: no one will believe it if a similar list appears again.

Thanks to the fortunate geographic characteristics of Hungary and the expertise of the companies in the water supply service the country’s drinking water is safe and represents a high quality even compared to European standards – both in terms of quality and drinking water service continuity.

Besides, that the quality of the drinking water supplied meets the requirements of the European Union as far as possible, the Hungarian regulation is even stricter in terms of tested parameters and permissible limits. Hungarian drinking water service providers are carrying out their drinking water quality control activities according to limits laid down by Government Regulation, in a long-term documented manner, with strict official accountability and control.

Thus, water quality control activities of Budapest Waterworks are also subject to a sampling plan approved by the Public Health Authority: almost 10 000 water samplings per year and nearly 200,000 water parameters are taken by an accredited laboratory and also tested by external laboratories. In addition to chemical tests, regular microbiological and biological examinations are also carried out.

But where does this water come from?

Many people don’t know, but water doesn’t come directly from the Danube: 70 percent comes from Szentendre Island. Water is naturally cleansed here by flowing through a pebble bed, that the Danube made in the past few centuries. The professionals drilled wells into this pebble bed and get drinking water from here.

By adding chlorine to the system, the water is preserved and the network is disinfected. After that, water starts its journey to consumers. Fun fact: in Budapest there are an approximately 5,400-kilometer long pipeline network.

So thanks to our geographic characteristics and the strict regulation we are in a very good position. Most Hungarian people prefer to drink this tap water instead of the bottled mineral water, because it’s almost the same taste. Try it, you won’t regret!