So, you’re parched and wondering if you can drink tap water in Amsterdam. Knowing where to get safe drinking water in a foreign country can be a little daunting, so what’s the deal in the Netherlands?
We’ve all heard horror stories about drinking tap water in foreign countries, and the last thing anyone wants on a vacation (or at any time) is to be stuck inside and on the toilet. So, can you drink tap water in the Netherlands? Let’s take a look.
Is tap water safe to drink in the Netherlands?
Good news: tap water is totally safe to drink in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam, where tap water is often better quality than bottled water.
In fact, tap water in the Netherlands shares the number one spot with six other countries for the safest drinking water in the world.
In the Netherlands, water companies use advanced technology to filter surface water without using chlorine or fluoride. High levels of chloride can be harmful to the environment, so it’s a major plus that Dutch tap water has none of it.
The calcium content is very low, making it softer water than other regions of Europe. Water that is referred to as “soft” causes less damage to appliances, like washing machines.
Another bonus is that the taste is known for being good. In fact, it was found to be tastier than bottled water! However, you may find that Dutch water tastes different from your home country — that’s because of the low calcium content.
Rest assured, it won’t take long for you to adjust. So don’t be shy to fill up your water flask and skip the store’s bottled water!
Is it safe to drink from public drinking fountains in Holland?
Public drinking water in the Netherlands is very safe since it is purified in the same way as regular tap water. You can find drinking fountains all around Amsterdam, many of them colourfully painted or even mosaiced.
Additionally, there are water bottle filling stations, which you’ll find in many parks and streets. There are even websites that help you locate the nearest drinking fountain wherever you are in Amsterdam. Now that’s cool!
Can you ask for tap water in a Dutch restaurant?
When going out for dinner in the Netherlands, you can ask for tap water, but most of the time, you’ll be charged for a glass or bottle.
If your stars align and the goddess of free water bestows an enchanted kiss upon you, you may stumble upon a restaurant that has no problem serving totally free tap water.
Of course, you can always ask the question of whether a restaurant charges for tap water.
Help! Why does Dutch water create white build-up on my tap?
As mentioned, the calcium content of Dutch water compared to the rest of Europe is low, but it’s still there.
Calcium build-up was something I had never encountered before coming to Europe, so when clumps of white started gathering in my kettle and around my taps, I had no idea what to do.
Calcium build-up is when white deposits start forming as a result of the calcium in the water. This can happen in your toilet, shower, taps and kettle.
READ MORE | How to set up your utilities in the Netherlands (in English!) with PartnerPete
It can affect the quality of water coming out of your tap, as the deposits can break off. This is particularly unpleasant, and not very good for you, especially when the deposits land up in your cups of tea!
Luckily, there’s a simple solution to that. You can purchase products to clean out the calcium at supermarkets or stores like Action.
You can also use good old undiluted white vinegar, which you can soak your showerheads in for a new shiny finish. I recommend cleaning out your kettle every month to prevent long-term build-up.
Have you tried the water in Amsterdam? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
How about the lead reports that we received recently?
This makes tap water totally unsafe due to the old pipes.
Can you inform us about that more please?
Use of liquid soap instead of solid soap can reduce the amount of limescale deposits in sinks, helping to keep the enamel shiny, and a drop in the toilet cistern can help there too. It’s probably due to the citric acid that’s usually an ingredient of liquid soap. Just shame about the plastic container that’s later thrown away. Brita filters greatly reduce the quantity of calcium carbonate that ends up in your tea, which improves its flavour as well as appearance.
Honestly, I think the NL water is perfectly drinkable. It just tastes revolting and leaves a hard water scum on the surface of hot drinks. It’s not the amazing water that dutchies love to shout about. Showering here, with the same soaps, destroys my skin. These water quality tests, as mentioned in the external link, are genuinely pointless – I can only speak for the UK but across the UK the water goes from super hard to super soft, and the quantity and type of chemical additions (or not) vary from one town to the next – which area did they get the water from? I’m sure the same applies in NL which is why someone from Amsterdam might love the tap water, but I on the west coast find it tastes like soap and furs up my kettle in weeks.
I’ve never had any problems with Dutch water but maybe I’m used to it too much. I found it disgusting in France and the UK (amongst other countries), but that’s because I believe they put loads of chlorine in it.
“When going out for dinner in the Netherlands you can ask for tap water, but most of the time you’ll be charged for a glass or bottle.”
My experience is completely the opposite, especially when you explicitly order a glass of “kraanwater” (tap water), you’ll usually get it for free. But maybe at more touristic places such as Amsterdam that’s a different story? Interesting to hear nonetheless.
It doesn’t always work, but you can ask for “kraan water”(say krahn). They’ll know it. Sometimes they bring it. Sometimes they say no. Worth a shot.