Tap water fine as long as tanks and pipes are clean

Dubai: Tap water in the UAE has been rated safe to drink but only as long as tanks and pipes storing and bringing water to the home are clean and in good condition, said Dubai's utilities company, as there is a high risk of corrosion and contamination.

While the desalination process supplies more than 80 per cent of the UAE's water needs, residents continue to purchase bottled water, more so than in any other country as mistrust of the quality of tap water is high.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) provided Dubai with 278 million imperial gallons per day of potable water in 2008 through the expensive and energy demanding process of desalination.

According to Dewa there is even a surplus reserve margin at 14 million gallons. Production capacity will reach 333 million gallons by the end of this year, Gulf News reported earlier.

However bottled water sales in the UAE, according to Al Ain Mineral Water Company, are the highest in the world with people here consuming 275 litres per year per person.

Amal Koshak of the Demand and Tariff Management at Dewa, said the authority goes to great lengths to ensure that tap water in Dubai is not only safe for drinking, but also meets the World Health Organisation's (WHO) guidelines for potable water.

"We nevertheless recommend that customers periodically ensure that the water tanks in their homes and buildings are cleaned on a regular basis. Over time, residue and mold can accumulate in the water tanks, thus rendering the tap water harmful. Cleaning the water tanks regularly can overcome this problem," she said in a statement to Gulf News.

"Another factor that can impact the quality of water is the quality of pipes used, as possibilities are immense for corrosion and contamination of water, especially when pipe materials are substandard. Setting aside the above factors, Dewa reassures that the entire desalination process from water production to storage and distribution is safe for consumption."

According to global green building standards, the quality of water pipes used in buildings seeking accreditation is taken into consideration. However, the main focus of guidelines look at curbing water wastage with low-flow flushes and showers, rather than water quality for human consumption.

Dubai resident Rita K., from the UK said she only drinks bottled water and even cooks with it. "I don't think tap water tastes nice and I heard that it's not good for you so why should I take the risk? I consider [buying bottled water] as part of my grocery shopping and if it's preventing me from falling sick, then I think it's worth it," she said.

I am living In Dubai Last 11years, And I am Drinking Tap Water. No Problem At All, And Iam Still Healthy. If Anybody Afraid About The Tank, They Can Use A Small Filter With The Pipe And Can use It Safely.
Ashraf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 18:55

We used to trust the tap water here and used to boil and drink it but not anymore as I found worms in my tap water one fine day. Eversince I have not been able to overcome the paranoia and distrust that has created eventhough the AADC had made an effort to clean my tanks after I had complained.
Sameera
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 17:30

DEWA is here saying the water is only safe to drink if pipes and storage tanks are up to standard. How are we as end-users supposed know this? Are we supposed rely on the word of our landlords? I believe there should be inspections by DEWA or some other independent authority to verify the quality of pipes and tanks. Until that happens I will not personally drink tap water.
Abdul Rahman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 17:28

Well, in Ajman its not safe even to take a shower with the tap water! it tastes salty and bitter, but colorless.
From A Reader
Ajman,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 17:08

The water produced by DEWA complies with all international standards for drinking water. However every building has a water tank where the water is stored, most often on the roof in direct sunlight. As the water in the tank heats up the chlorine dissipates leaving the water unprotected against mould, bacteria and other contaminants. If the water from the tap in your kitchen came straight from the DEWA main line then it would be perfectly safe for drinking. Water from the tanks will usually be ok provided your tanks are cleaned regularly but we would still recommend boiling it first. I have been cleaning and disinfecting water tanks and pipelines in the emirates since 1996 and have seen tanks in a very poor and dirty condition and yet the tennants in the property are unaware of the risks. My advice is inspect your tank and get it professionally cleaned !
Wayne Bruce
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 15:50

How do we make sure if the water is clean after filling in the roof top tanks. If the tap water is safe to drink, then why do I see white stuff (lime) collects in and around the pipes. You can see this when you remove the tap for cleaning when the water flow is low.
John
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 15:49

Who will monitor Tanks and pipes. and what is the level of clean water we talking about.
Viren
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 15:37

How do we ensure the tap water we are drinking is safe if the water tank, pipes are managed by building owners? An awareness to the landlords should also be spread to do regular check ups. A government body should be setup to have a quaterly or half yearly check up of buildings, rented or leased villas and public water storage ystems.
Narender Rayat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 15:30

I live in Mirdif and last week decided to drink tap water for the first time. I had a bad stomach for 3 days after. This could be coincidence, but I am back to bottled water for now!
Nick
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 15:06

We live in Sharjah, near national paints round about. Tanks that bring and store water are not clean in our area as they always contain some bad smell. I do not know about DEWA water but SEWA from my experience is definetely not safe to drink.
Roachak
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 15:06

I agree that water produced from desalination procees are very clean. Its now the pipes for which water goes through which adds up to the factors on whether such water are clean and safe for drinking or not. Is it possible that the authorities require building owners, or apartment owner to have their water checked after it passed through its tanks and pipes. Then have the result posted in the entrance of the building so that its tenants will know if they are safe to drink their water or not.
Gellan
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 14:57

well i drink from bottled water and cook from bottled water, i belive authorities should make awareness regarding safe drinking water from TAP, or they could recommand us to buy a system that could be installed from drinking purpose
Hussain
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 14:38

Municipality has to do the inspection to confirm the water tanks are hygienic. Mostly the building maitanence teams are not cleaning the water tanks frequently
Vahaj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 14:07

For last four years I am living here in Dubai, since I was using bottle water for drinking
Shafqat Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 14:01

Can someone inform if there are checks by SEWA for a building to know if they clean the tanks on a regular basis? Is there any certificate provided for the same? Else, how we, as residents of a building would know if the tap water which is distributed safely by them is reaching us safely too? I use only bottled water as I do not trust the way completely through which it reaches us. Through a proper certificate made available to all residents of a building, i think more people would be inclined to start trusting that tap water is actually safe for use.
Amrita J
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 13:54

It is true that Tap Water is safe for drinking but this is true as well that taste of Tap water is not so good.This is the main reason why me and my family is using bottled water. If SEWA/DEWA can improve the taste, then we should use Tap water for drinking purpose as well. No need to mention that it will reduce burden over the budget of an ordinary man.
Hamza
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 13:29

Appreciate your awareness about the usage of tap water for drinking purpose. But I think most of the building maitanence teams are not cleaning water tanks properly. Even in my building mostly comes yellowish colour water. Municipality has to do the regular inspection to confirm the water tanks are very hygienic and also ahs to take strict action for not keeping the water tanks and pipes hygienic. Because the tenants cannot see the condition of water tanks which is laying on the roof of the building.
Vahaj Al Deen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 12:59

Govt. should ensure the buildings storage tanks safety standards as well as ensure that pipes are cleaned or checked for corrosion.
Safdar Zaman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 12:29

I truly beleive that the desalinated water is fit for human consumption when it is ditributed from DEWA, the uncertainty of what happens to it between DEWA and the time it comes from the tap is the worrying factor. So I will always continue with bottled water.
Gary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 11:59

Even if the water quality provided at the DEWA source is fine and meets international standards, this does not make it safe for human consumption. Water storage tanks, which are not owned by DEWA will readily contaminate the water supply if the tank is not well maintained and cleaned regularly by competent technicians. This isn't happening and Landlords are more averse to spending money on maintenance than before. Government oversight and enforcement is needed here.
Louie Tedesco
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 11:51

we know that the tap water is safe to drink... but what about the water storage tanks on the building? how clean it is? if you put a filter on tap and wait for a week and take out the filter and see the dust...
Seddiqi
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 11:39

We are already using the water to drink and for cooking. First of all for drinking we will filter or boil before drinking.. Water is precious..!
Mathew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 11:09

If this is true that TAP water is safe to drink, then DEWA should create more awareness in the public so that public can atleast think of drinking. Also it is very important that DEWA ensure that the builders use high quality of water pipes by builders.
Denesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 11:01

Appreciate if anyone could inform whether SEWA water is safe for drinking as the taste of water is completely different from Dubai.
Sulaiman Kaise
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 12, 2009, 10:40