Is water safe to drink in Morocco? | Intrepid Travel (2024)

FAQs

Can you brush your teeth with water in Morocco? ›

Stick to bottled water

You shouldn't drink the tap water in Morocco, or even use it to brush your teeth.

The following drinks can be risky to drink: Tap water: Do not drink the tap water in most middle and low-income countries, even in cities. This includes swallowing water when showering or brushing your teeth. Brush your teeth with bottled or disinfected water.

Deteriorating water quality is one of the major problems facing Morocco's water sector. Indeed, critical levels of pollution have been observed in several sections of watercourses, and several water streams have high concentrations of phosphorus, ammonia, organic matter and high coliform counts.

Is the water safe to drink in Morocco? Generally speaking, it's probably best to drink filtered or bottled water when traveling in Morocco. Most locals will drink tap water and many travelers may take the risk, but you wouldn't want a stomach bug to stop you from having a good time in a new country.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Bring along hand sanitizer as well as anti-bacterial hand wipes for when soap and water aren't available. Drink bottled water. Bottled water is inexpensive in Morocco, and you can find both sparkling and flat water.

Some large cities may advertise their drinking water as being chlorinated, but this should not be interpreted that their water is contaminant-free. The best way to stay safe is to avoid it. Travelers become ill because the water pathogens are foreign to their immune systems.

Don't leave home without turning off the water

Remember to shut off the main water supply to your home any time you're planning to be away for more than 24 hours. Yes, that includes weekend breaks. It's the best way to avoid serious water damage in the event of a plumbing failure.

The countries with 100 percent access to safe drinking water include Greece, Iceland, Kuwait, Lichtenstein, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and Singapore.

The council highlights a threat posed by rapid depletion of underground aquifers, which Morocco has tapped heavily for its agricultural expansion. Aquifers have dropped alarmingly and their water has been degraded by seawater intrusion, nitrate pollution (from fertilizers or sewage) and natural increases in salinity.

Can you have ice in Morocco? ›

Avoid drinking tap water, it is preferable to drink only bottled water. Check that water bottles have not been opened before buying. Avoid ice unless made from bottled water.

Brushing your teeth with this water should be fine. In remote or rural areas, stick to treated water, by either filtering or purifying it yourself, or purchasing a large bottle. It's also advisable to avoid raw vegetables, fruits with edible skins, salads and drinks with ice.

Miswak is an oral hygiene aid with widespread use among Muslim population due to religious norms. The use of miswak is a pre-Islamic custom, contributed to ritual purity. It is used five times in a day before every Namaz (prayer) as a religious practice.

Drinking water abroad

In countries with poor sanitation, don't drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth unless it has been treated. For information about sanitation levels in the country you are travelling to, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NATHNAC).

Avoid drinking tap water, it is preferable to drink only bottled water. Check that water bottles have not been opened before buying. Avoid ice unless made from bottled water.