Photo by Diva Plavalaguna
If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka soon or you’re just curious, here’s everything you need to know about the tap water situation here.
For most international tourists, health advisories are pretty blunt: no, drinking Sri Lankan tap water is not recommended.
However, if you’re worried about potential infections or if you’ve swallowed some tap water by accident, you needn’t panic. As someone who’s lived in Colombo (Sri Lanka) for yonks, the real picture is far more nuanced.
Water infrastructure varies significantly between urban centres and rural areas, and understanding those differences will help you stay safe without causing unnecessary stress.
What are safe alternatives to tap water in Sri Lanka?
Luckily, there are plenty of safe alternatives to tap water, even if you’ve ventured out of Colombo.
Bottled water
If you head to any supermarket or corner shop, you’re likely to find safe bottled water.
As someone who’s relied on bottled water many times, my best pieces of advice are:
- Always check the manufacturing and expiry date. While water doesn’t expire, you don’t want to drink water that’s been sitting around for years.
- Check whether the seal is intact. All bottled water in Sri Lanka comes with a plastic seal connecting the cap to the bottle. Never buy bottled water if the seal’s broken.
- Buy established brands. Popular drinking water companies include Aquafresh, Elephant House, Speed, Scan, Mount Spring, Ola, Cristal, and Kinley. Not sure if a certain brand is legit? You can check if it’s mentioned in the official government registry. Popular supermarkets (like Keells) will also have their house-brand water bottles available.
- Avoid bottles that have been sitting in the sun. Research has linked sunlight exposure to an increase in harmful compounds in single-use plastics. And research aside… who really wants to drink warm water in the scorching heat?
Filtered water
Most hotels will have their own water filtration system for drinking water, and some upscale hostels may also have a water filter.
If in doubt, always ask hotel staff if the water they’ve brought to your room (or served you) is filtered.
Boiled water
This option can be a hit or miss, depending on where you stay. Some of the hostels I’ve been to have provided us with an electric kettle, while others didn’t have one available.
However, if you’ve got access to an electric kettle, you can always choose to boil your water.
Water purification tablets
Honestly, I’ve never really seen the benefit of bringing water purification tablets on any of my jaunts around Sri Lanka. Bottled water is my jam!
But, if you want to make sure that your water is as safe as safe can be, then it could be a worthy addition to your luggage. Just be sure to buy these tablets before landing in Colombo, because they aren’t readily available here.
Can you brush your teeth with Sri Lankan tap water?
Many travellers default to using Sri Lankan tapwater to brush their teeth, and it’s generally a safe option if you’re at a reputable hotel.
However, it’s an entirely different story if you’re heading to a hostel, a rural area, or a national park. Health authorities recommend using bottled, filtered, or boiled water to brush your teeth in these situations.
Take it from me: just buy extra bottled water, and use it as your dedicated “mouth swilling bottle”. I’ve used these all over the country, from the Sigiriya countryside to a bungalow in Yala National Park, with no adverse effects.
Here’s what to do if you get sick
Travellers’ diarrhoea is one of the most common travel-related illnesses at vacation hotspots worldwide. According to the US National Library of Medicine, it affects “millions of international travellers to developing countries annually”, and Sri Lanka is no exception.
If you’ve got symptoms of travellers’ diarrhoea (such as loose stools, nausea, and vomiting), the Dutch public health organisation (GGD) advises taking oral rehydration solutions.
While these solutions are available at pharmacies across Colombo, availability drops the further away from the city you get. My husband likes to prep for the worst, so if you’re like him, stock up on some ORS before you leave Colombo.
Needless to say, prevention is better than cure. The following video is a great overview of what traveller’s diarrhoea is, and how to prevent it.
For severe symptoms, head to a hospital ASAP
If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by high fever, seek medical attention.
Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has a tool to find a hospital close to you; all you need to do is select the district you’re in.
However, the further from Colombo (or other touristy areas) you get, the less likely it is that hospital staff speak fluent English. UK foreign travel advice also notes that emergency medical treatment outside main cities is not readily available, and that serious medical conditions may require evacuation to Colombo.
Important: Stay up to date on your vaccinations
According to the GGD*, both typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines are recommended for travellers to Sri Lanka. It’s hardly a coincidence that both combat waterborne illnesses.
While vaccine advisories can change depending on your country of origin, it’s worth getting in contact with your healthcare provider. Ask them what vaccines you need, or if any booster shots are recommended.
*Yes, this blog is partially Dutch-based, so we’re trusting their judgment on this. 😉
The bottom line is… bottled water is a real MVP, friends. As long as you’ve got safe, bottled water with you, you’ll be fine.
Are you planning a trip to Sri Lanka, or have you already visited? I’d love to know what you thought of the island, or if there are any questions you have!
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