Tapwater Sweden: drinkable or not?

Q: Can you drink Tapwater in Sweden?

Yes, Tapwater in Sweden can be drunk , as it is regularly subjected to strict quality controls. Nevertheless, this also applies here: Contamination can occur. To be on the safe side, you can buy a portable drinking water filter before you go on vacation.

Q: Where is the best Tapwater in Europe?

Due to the EU's high quality standards, water can be drunk straight from the tap in most European countries . Countries such as Austria, Sweden and Croatia, for example, are known for their high water quality. Nevertheless, it never hurts to play it safe with a water filter.

Q: Is Swedish Tapwater better than bottled water?

Many Swedes prefer Tapwater because of its quality and sustainability compared to bottled water. Accordingly, the consumption of bottled water in Sweden is also very low. However, whether Tapwater in Sweden tastes better than bottled water is subjective and therefore cannot be answered in general terms.

Q: Can you drink the water from Swedish lakes?

Swedish lakes have a very high water quality, but this does not make them suitable for drinking water . This is because the water from stagnant bodies of water is not treated as drinking water and can therefore contain pollutants. Depending on the areas through which it flows, water from rivers can also contain undesirable additives such as pesticides or pesticides and should not be consumed unfiltered.

With its vast forests, picturesque lakes and impressive coastline, Sweden attracts numerous adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts every year. If the question of food and drink arises in the course of preparations, many are unsure about the quality of drinking water in the land of the Vikings. Is the Tapwater in Sweden safe to drink?

First things first: the Scandinavian country is not only known for its clean and unspoiled nature, but also for its water quality. But there are a few things you should bear in mind when it comes to Tapwater to make your vacation in Sweden as pleasant and safe as possible.

That's why we have summarized the following Guidebook for you ...

... whether Tapwater is drinkable in Sweden,
... where Swedish drinking water comes from,
... what the water quality looks like,
... and whether you need a drinking water filter for Tapwater in Norway.

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Updated on: 02.05.2024

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Can you drink Tapwater in Sweden?

The short answer is: in principle, yes, you can drink Tapwater in Sweden. The drinking water in the land of the Vikings enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide for its purity. It is subject to strict quality controls and is considered to be one of the cleanest in the world. This means that you can drink Tapwater while on vacation in Sweden.

But be careful!

Tapwater in Sweden - like drinking water in Germany - may be of high quality and subject to regular controls. But that still doesn't make it completely safe. Because:

Pollutant concentrations below a specified limit may still be present.
There are still pollutants that are not checked.
Despite checks, undesirable pollutants may still be present in the water in some cases

You can find out more about this in the Guidebook on "Why filter water?".

High-quality Tapwater? Sweden's water in detail

Sweden is widely regarded as a country where people drink a lot of Tapwater - in fact, it is often said that Swedes consume particularly little mineral water due to their high-quality tap water.¹ But what exactly makes Swedish water so special? In the following you will find out where Tapwater in Sweden comes from and how high quality it really is.

Where the Tapwater comes from in Sweden

Sweden benefits from an abundance of natural water resources - depending on the region, both surface water and groundwater are used as Tapwater . The water is treated and regularly monitored in accordance with EU regulations. The municipal waterworks in Sweden produce almost 900 billion liters of drinking water for the entire country every year².

As in Germany, the Tapwater in Sweden is purified and turned into drinking water. In addition, the water is regularly tested during production to determine whether it contains undesirable microorganisms or chemical substances based on defined limit values. If this is the case, countermeasures can be taken immediately.

The waterworks adhere to quality criteria that were defined by the Swedish Food Safety Authority for drinking water on the basis of EU Directive 2020/2184, known as the "Drinking Water Directive". ³, ⁴ These criteria set limits for various substances and microorganisms in the water and define the requirements for water utilities in terms of monitoring and treating drinking water.

Good to know

When on vacation, it is important to remember that in Sweden only the cold water in the tap is classified and controlled as food. ² You should therefore avoid drinking hot water straight from the tap, as the water may contain harmful substances and bacteria such as legionella.

Tapwater in Sweden is therefore usually thoroughly treated before it comes out of the tap - just as we are used to in Germany. But what about the quality of Tapwater in Sweden?

Tapwater in Sweden

There's no question about it: Sweden is at the top of the world in terms of water quality, as new studies continue to show. In Yale University's Environmental Performance Index (EPI), for example, Sweden is ranked 10th in the Sanitation & Drinking Water category - after other Scandinavian countries such as Finland, Denmark , the Netherlands and Germany.⁵

So you definitely can't deny it: Compared to much of the world, the Tapwater in Sweden is very high quality. However, when traveling, please note that, as in Germany, the strictly monitored Tapwater in Sweden may in some cases contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, germs and bacteria, etc.

Is there a difference between Tapwater in Sweden and Germany?

The quality of tap water in Sweden has already been compared with that in Germany. Both countries have effective systems for monitoring and ensuring water quality. But there is one important difference between the two.

Sweden's water is often praised for its pleasant taste. This is determined by one important factor: the water hardness. This is because Sweden generally has softer water with a lower lime content.⁶In Germany, the water hardness varies more regionally in comparison, as the Tapwater in many areas has a higher lime content.

Hard or soft water - what exactly does that mean and what does it mean for you? Soft water has a low content of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. For you, this generally means a softer, often more pleasant taste when you drink it. Soft water is also gentler on your skin and hair and leaves fewer limescale deposits in household appliances.

While Swedish Tapwater is in no way inferior to German Tapwater in terms of quality, it has a slightly different taste due to its low hardness

Tapwater Sweden: potential risks and contamination

Despite the generally high quality of Swedish tap water, it is advisable to check local water reports, especially in rural or remote areas. This is because there may still be exceptional cases where contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides or small amounts of industrial chemicals are present in the water.⁷

This is especially true when traveling to remote or rural areas. You should definitely take additional precautions here. This is because the water here often comes from smaller water supply systems or from natural springs, which increases the risk of possible contamination. A drinking water filter can help here.

Special care should also be taken with stagnant water, i.e. water that has been standing in the tap for a long time. Anyone renting a vacation home or apartment, for example, should definitely run the water hot and cold for a few minutes after arrival in order to flush the qualitatively impaired stagnant water out of the pipe.

Water filter for your vacation in Sweden

If you want to be absolutely sure that the Tapwater on your vacation in Sweden is really pure, you should definitely use a water filter. Activated carbon filters help to filter out harmful substances and improve the taste of the water.

The purchase of a drinking water filter from Alb Filter is of course particularly worthwhile for holidaymakers and campers who are traveling in different regions. But a water filter is also an excellent option for all those who are constantly staying in the same place and always want to be able to rely on the quality of their drinking water. This is because it reliably removes harmful substances such as hormones, microplastics, pesticides and much more, ensuring you always have access to clean water wherever you are.

Tapwater Sweden: Improve quality with a water filter

In Sweden, the applicable EU standards ensure high drinking water quality, which benefits both locals and vacationers. So you can drink Tapwater in Sweden just like in Germany. But take care while on vacation - because top quality is unfortunately not always the case.

Although Tapwater in Sweden is generally considered safe, there may be deviations from the quality standards. In addition, as in Germany, not all harmful substances can be filtered out of drinking water in Sweden. So if you want to be on the safe side, you should buy a water filter - with this you can drink Tapwater in Sweden without hesitation.

FAQs: Tapwater Norway

Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Tapwater in Sweden.

Can you drink Tapwater in Sweden?

Yes, Tapwater in Sweden can be drunk, as it is regularly subjected to strict quality controls. Nevertheless, this also applies here: Contamination can occur. To be on the safe side, you can buy a portable drinking water filter before you go on vacation.

Where is the best Tapwater in Europe?

Due to the EU's high quality standards, water can be drunk straight from the tap in most European countries. Countries such as Austria, Sweden and Croatia, for example, are known for their high water quality. Nevertheless, it never hurts to play it safe with a water filter.

Is Swedish Tapwater better than bottled water?

Many Swedes prefer Tapwater because of its quality and sustainability compared to bottled water. Accordingly, the consumption of bottled water in Sweden is also very low. However, whether Tapwater in Sweden tastes better than bottled water is subjective and therefore cannot be answered in general terms.

Can you drink the water from Swedish lakes?

Swedish lakes have a very high water quality, but this does not make them suitable for drinking water. This is because the water from stagnant bodies of water is not treated as drinking water and can therefore contain pollutants. Depending on the areas through which it flows, water from rivers can also contain undesirable additives such as pesticides or pesticides and should not be consumed unfiltered.