Which water is best for drinking in India?

December 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports, millions of people in India are affected by waterborne diseases each year due to contaminated water, making the choice of a safe drinking water source a critical health decision. The quality of water can vary significantly by location, from urban municipal supplies to rural borewells, influencing the purification method needed to ensure safety.

Quick Summary

The best drinking water in India is typically filtered or purified, as tap water often contains contaminants from infrastructure and source pollution. The ideal purification method, such as RO or UV, depends on local water quality and its Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels.

Key Points

Purified is Best: For most Indian households, water from a home purification system (like RO or UV) is the safest and most reliable option.
Test Your Water: The right purification method depends on your water source's specific contamination profile, so testing is a crucial first step.
Choose RO for High TDS: Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifiers are necessary for borewell or tanker water with high levels of Total Dissolved Solids and heavy metals.
UV for Low TDS: Ultraviolet (UV) purifiers are effective for municipal water with low TDS but potential microbial contamination.
Be Cautious with Bottled Water: While convenient, packaged drinking water carries risks of counterfeits and environmental concerns; always check the seal and brand.
Boiling Is Insufficient: Boiling water kills microbes but fails to remove chemicals, heavy metals, or other dissolved impurities.

The Indian Water Quality Challenge

India's water landscape is diverse, with sources ranging from municipal pipelines to underground borewells and tankers. While some city water treatments meet international standards at the source, aging and leaking pipe infrastructure often leads to contamination before it reaches the tap. This makes drinking untreated tap water risky due to the potential presence of bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals. Contaminants like arsenic and fluoride are also prevalent in certain regions, posing long-term health risks. Therefore, a form of treatment is nearly always necessary to ensure water is safe for consumption.

Understanding Different Types of Water and Their Safety

Tap Water

As mentioned, tap water in India is generally not considered safe for direct drinking. While it is regulated and treated in many urban centers, the risk of secondary contamination from faulty plumbing is high. It can harbor disease-causing microorganisms like E. coli and parasites, leading to common waterborne illnesses like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.

Boiled Water

Boiling water is a traditional and effective method for killing most bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, it does not remove dissolved impurities, chemicals, pesticides, or heavy metals. While a step up from unfiltered tap water, it is not a comprehensive solution for areas with significant chemical contamination. The taste can also be flat and unappealing.

Bottled Water

Packaged drinking water from reputable brands is a safe and convenient option, especially for travelers. However, consumers must remain vigilant. Counterfeit products are a common issue, so it's crucial to check the seal and source carefully before purchasing. Moreover, the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles is a major concern. Research has also shown some bottled water contains pesticide residues or other chemical by-products.

Filtered and Purified Water

Using a home water purification system is the most reliable way to ensure safe drinking water in India. There are several technologies available, often used in combination:

Reverse Osmosis (RO): This technology forces water through a semipermeable membrane, effectively removing Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants. It is recommended for areas with high TDS levels, such as borewell or tanker water sources. A key drawback is that it can strip the water of essential minerals, which many modern purifiers now re-add.
Ultraviolet (UV): UV purifiers use a UV lamp to kill bacteria and viruses by disrupting their DNA. UV is highly effective against microbiological threats but does not remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals, or dissolved solids. It's ideal for water with low TDS that only needs microbial disinfection.
Ultrafiltration (UF): UF technology uses a membrane with larger pores than RO to remove microorganisms and suspended solids but not dissolved salts or heavy metals. It works without electricity and is often combined with other technologies.

Comparison of Water Purification Methods


Feature	Tap Water (Untreated)	Boiled Water	UV-Filtered Water	RO-Purified Water
Cost	Very Low	Low (Fuel/Electricity)	Moderate	High (Purchase/Maintenance)
Effectiveness Against Microbes	Unsafe	Very Good	Excellent	Excellent
Effectiveness Against Chemicals	Poor	Poor	Poor	Excellent
Effectiveness Against Heavy Metals	Poor	Poor	Poor	Excellent
TDS Reduction	None	None	None	Excellent
Mineral Content	Varies	Preserved	Preserved	Reduced/Re-added
Taste	Can be unpleasant	Flat/altered	Natural	Improved, but can be mineral-stripped
Environment	Good (No packaging)	Good (No packaging)	Good (No packaging)	Fair (Wastes water)

How to Choose the Best Water for Your Home

Test Your Water Source: Before purchasing a purifier, get your water tested to determine the levels of TDS, heavy metals, and other contaminants. This will help you select the most appropriate technology.
Match Technology to Contaminants: If your water has high TDS (above 500 mg/L), an RO purifier is essential. If TDS is low and the primary concern is microbial contamination (common in treated municipal water), a UV purifier is sufficient and more cost-effective.
Consider Combined Purifiers: Many modern purifiers combine technologies like RO+UV+UF to offer comprehensive protection against a wide range of contaminants, catering to mixed water sources.
Check for BIS Certification: Always choose a purifier that adheres to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water (IS 10500:2012) to ensure it meets safety benchmarks.

The Best Choice for Health and Safety

For the average Indian household, the best water is purified water from a reliable home system that is appropriate for the local source's contamination profile. For those dealing with high TDS water from borewells, an RO purifier is the most effective solution. For cleaner municipal water, a UV-based filter is often adequate. While bottled water is an option, its risks and environmental impact make it a less sustainable long-term choice. By investing in a quality home purification system, you gain control over your water quality, ensuring every drop your family drinks is safe, clean, and healthy.

For more details on India's official drinking water standards, refer to the BIS IS 10500:2012 specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is generally not recommended to drink tap water directly in India. While some cities treat their water, aging pipe infrastructure often leads to secondary contamination with bacteria, viruses, and chemicals before it reaches your tap.

The best choice depends on your water source. RO is better for water with high TDS (above 500 mg/L) and heavy metals, while UV is ideal for water with low TDS where the main concern is microbial contamination.

Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but does not remove chemicals, pesticides, or heavy metals. For comprehensive safety, especially in areas with chemical pollution, a certified water purifier is more reliable.

To avoid counterfeit products, always buy bottled water from a reputable store. Inspect the seal to ensure it is intact and check for any signs of tampering. Look for well-known brands like Bisleri, Aquafina, or Kinley.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) sets an acceptable TDS level of up to 500 mg/L. Water between 150–300 mg/L is generally preferred for taste and health.

Traditional methods include boiling and using copper vessels. While boiling kills microbes, it doesn't remove chemicals. Storing water in copper vessels has antimicrobial properties, but a certified filter is the most effective modern solution for a wide range of contaminants.

Common contaminants include bacteria (like E. coli), viruses, parasites, heavy metals (arsenic, lead), pesticides, and excess fluoride and nitrates. The specific contaminants vary by region and water source.