For Americans: Is Public Water In Rome and All Over Tuscany Region Good To Drink?

No, in my own travels and experience with our group tours, tap water in Italy and the rest of the European Union is not a problem for Americans. I do refill my bottle from the public taps all the time. Stylish Italians tend to buy mineral water in restaurants, but that is more about taste. (House wine costs about the same price, if you only want to pay for one.)

It is not a third world country, Jim. Water is fine is all areas. No adjustments. All of the little outdoor fountains through out Rome are great for refilling you water bottle. If it is not drinkable then there will be a sign that says non-(something). We don't carry water bottles in Rome and just use the outdoor fountains.

Italy is a modern industrialized country. The water is perfectly fine to drink for Americans. We've been to Italy four times and never had a problem. In a lot of cities, the tap water is delicious. But in restaurants you never order tap water. You just don't. And do use the public drinking fountains throughout Rome. That water is excellent.

jim,

As someone else mentioned, Italy is a modern industrialized country so you should have no problems with the water (I never have). Public fountains are usually good quality water as well. Unless you see a sign that says "Non Potabile", the water should be fine.

Water is very safe everywhere. Sometimes, usually in the countryside in or near farms you might find some fountains with a sign saying ACQUA NON POTABILE. That is water that is used primarily for irrigation or for farm animals. It doesn't mean that it will make you sick, but the sign may be placed there because either the owner or the public authorities of the Comune (if a public fountain) doesn't want to spend the money for the periodic certification by the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). I've often drunk it anyhow and nothing has happened to me.

However many Italians don't drink tap water at home. Not because it's unsafe, but because they think it doesn't taste that good. Actually the water in Rome tastes pretty good even at home (Florence's water not so much when I was growing up, but now they have a new purification system based on Ozone that apparently makes the water taste as good as mountain water).

When you go to restaurants in Italy however, restaurateurs will not serve you tap water like in America. It is sort of expected that your order bottled water (still or sparkling or both). It's not because the water of the tap is bad, it's just because that's the practice (and also a way for the restaurant to make some extra money). It's not that expensive even at the restaurant (about €2 for a .750 Liter bottle of mineral water), so don't be cheap. If you insist with the waiter, they'll probably bring you tap water, but they'll think you are a stingy American. It would be seen like if someone in America brought their own soda or cheap "Carlo Rossi" jug wine to an expensive restaurant.

@roberto: I really hoped you were going to translate Azienda Sanitaria Locale in English!

@darioalb.

There is no equivalent in America to an AZIENDA SANITARIA LOCALE since there is no National Health Service in America.

LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT is the best translation I can think of.

If you were familiar with the NHS in the UK, they are roughly the equivalent to the former PCT (Primary Care Trust) in the UK.

In US there is the Public Health Service, part of Dept of Health & Human Services, and is headed by the Surgeon General of the United States. They do not regulate public drinking water, however, Environmental Protection Agency does that. EU has standards which are pretty much the same as US.

Living in Colorado we drink the tap water at home, also. When I visit my kids in California, we drink their filtered water on the fridge.

In Italy and France we always drink the tap water and the water fountain water is good. The tap water in Italy tastes better than in a lot of the different states here!

Have a great trip!
Mimi

Yes, tap water in Rome and Tuscany is good to drink, but why would you go to Italy and drink tap water when you can buy FRIZZANTE in Italy?

Frizzante is everywhere in Italia, at train stations, airports, big and little grocery stores, in Bars, Delis, and restaurants too. I bought a huge bottle of Frizzante every morning and carried it all day. And it is so cheap at the supermercato. But I was so hooked on it that I did not mind paying a bit more for cold Frizzante at the Bars where I got my caffe' in the mornings.

Frizzante is so refreshing and rejuvenating. Some Bars would give me a shot of Frizzante before they served my caffe'. It woke me up every time!

I am a mess when I get back to the US 'cause there's No Frizzante here. I always do a thorough search of the stores when I return home in the hope they finally got Frizzante, but still No Frizzante. I am so hooked I gotta have it.

I go to Italia just to enjoy Frizzante, i am bad addicted. Some Bar owners think they have to warn me about Frizzante.
"It's got gas in it," they say. "Mi Piace gas," i answer, and that cracks them up every time.

Frizzante is so much FUN! Italy is full of exquisite food and yes, water too. Enjoy!

I'm with Sandra on the frizzante. I've loved sparkling water since I first tried it on my first trip to Europe in the late 70's. It was all I would drink in restaurants anywhere over there, but I found a new love in Belgium and the Netherlands last year -- Lipton Iced Tea in a bottle, made with sparkling water. San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa ain't too shabby either.

You never forget your first love, so sparkling water will always be on our table when we eat out and in our fridge if we have one when we are in Europe. Well, actually at home, too.

I always do a thorough search of the stores when I return home in the hope they finally got Frizzante, but still No Frizzante.

Sandra, have you heard of San Pellegrino? It's sparkling water from Italy and it's in many grocery stores.