How Does Water Safety Work in Indonesia?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Asia
1The Quick Answer
Never drink tap water anywhere in Indonesia — bottled water is extremely cheap and widely available; Aqua is the most trusted brand.
2What You Need to Know
Tap water in Indonesia is not safe to drink anywhere in the country, including Bali, Jakarta, and major cities. Bottled water is inexpensive (2,000–5,000 IDR for 1.5 litres) and available everywhere. Aqua (owned by Danone) is the most trusted and widely counterfeited brand — always check that the seal is fully intact when you buy. Ice at tourist restaurants and hotels is generally produced from treated water and is safe; ice at roadside warungs is more of a risk. Brushing teeth with tap water is not recommended, especially for those with sensitive stomachs.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Always check the plastic seal on bottled water is fully intact before drinking — counterfeit or refilled Aqua bottles exist in tourist markets
- 2Bring a SteriPen or water purification tablets as a backup for longer trips to remote islands where bottled water availability is unreliable
- 3Ice in tourist restaurants and upmarket warungs is almost always made from treated water — use your judgement at very local roadside stalls
Important Warning
Drinking tap water or eating food washed in tap water is a very common cause of Bali Belly (traveller's diarrhoea). Symptoms can be severe and ruin days of your trip — the precaution of drinking only bottled or purified water is worth taking seriously.
How does this compare?
Water Safety rules in nearby and similar countries:
Tap water in Japan is completely safe to drink throughout the entire country.
Tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink — always use bottled or purified water, which is cheap and widely available everywhere.
Singapore tap water is completely safe to drink and is among the best quality in Asia — no bottled water needed.
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