Water from the treatment works of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir meets the limits when it leaves the plants, but old house pipes, rooftop tanks and interruptions make it unreliable. Turkey drinks from the 19-litre container, the damacana.
The short answer
Better not; locals drink bottled and container water
Aquaviana’s advice
- Drink bottled water with an intact seal or from a damacana container, as every household does.
- Tap water for showering, brushing teeth and cooking is fine in cities.
- Tea is the national drink and is made with boiled water, as are ayran and coffee.
Why nobody drinks from the tap
Istanbul's waterworks supply water that meets all standards at the plant. On the way to the glass, however, there are decades-old pipes, rooftop tanks on many houses in which the water stands at 35 °C, and regular pressure drops during which foreign matter can get into the network. That is why the damacana, the 19-litre container on the water dispenser, is standard in every flat, office and shop. It is ordered by phone or app and delivered within an hour.
Regions
On the Aegean and Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Bodrum, Alanya) the water is hard and partly salty, and in Cappadocia and central Anatolia it is hard and mineral. Mountain regions such as the Black Sea area have good spring water, which is signposted at public fountains. Hotels have their own treatment, and the tap in the hotel bathroom is fine for brushing teeth.
Culture
In Turkey water is almost always drunk still and cold. Sparkling water (“soda” or “maden suyu”) is mineral water with natural carbonation and is often ordered after a meal to help digestion. Bottled water is cheap, and in restaurants half a litre usually costs less than one euro.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have ice in drinks in Turkey?
In hotels and restaurants, ice is made from treated water. At street stalls, leave it out if in doubt.
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