Can You Drink Tap Water in Cambodia? (2025)

Are you wondering “Can you drink tap water in Cambodia?”

You’ve come to the right place! I lived in Cambodia for almost a year and I got all the best tips for safe drinking water.

So to answer the question, “Can you drink tap water in Cambodia?” The short answer is that no, you cannot drink tap water in Cambodia.

Tap water in Cambodia is not safe for drinking as it does not go through a water treatment process. Thus, tap water includes bacteria and pollutants which would make you sick if you drank it.

You should also not drink the tap water in hotels, bars or restaurants in Cambodia.

If it is your first time in Asia, you can use bottled water for brushing your teeth. Otherwise, you can use tap water for brushing your teeth in Cambodia, just make sure not to swallow the water.

So, here is all the information you need about tap water in Cambodia!

Can You Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?

No, you cannot drink tap water in Cambodia.

Tap water in Cambodia does not go through a water treatment process thus, it has bacteria and pollutants. In case you drink it, it will make you sick.

While travelling in Cambodia, you should refill your water bottle with clean water from hotels or buy bottled water to make sure you don’t get sick.

Can Locals Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?

No, even locals who were born and raised in Cambodia cannot drink the tap water.

Tap water in Cambodia has bacteria that will make you sick if you drink it, regardless whether you are a local or a foreigner.

Can Foreigners Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?

No, foreigners cannot drink tap water in Cambodia.

If you are travelling in Cambodia, you should be careful not to drink tap water. The tap water has bacteria and pollutants that will make you sick if you accidentally drink it.

Most of the hotels have big water jars from where you can refill your bottle with clean water. So it is best to have a refillable water bottle with you, so you can refill it with water on the go.

Otherwise, you can buy bottled water. Waste management is not as well developed in Cambodia, so to save the plastic, it is better to refill your water bottle instead of buying plastic water bottles.

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Phnom Penh?

No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Phnom Penh. The tap water in Phnom Penh, as well as tap water all over Cambodia, is not safe for drinking.

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Siem Reap?

No, tap water is not safe to drink in Siem Reap. The tap water in Siem Reap is not clean and it is not safe for locals or travellers to drink it.

Can You Drink Tap Water in Cambodia Hotels?

No, you cannot drink tap water in hotels in Cambodia. The tap water is not safe for drinking all over India, including hotels and restaurants.

Many of the hotels have big water jars with drinking water from where you can refill your water bottle. Thus, it is best if you travel in Cambodia with a refillable water bottle and refill it instead of buying water in plastic bottles.

Can You Drink Tap Water in Restaurants in Cambodia?

No, it is not safe to drink tap water in restaurants in Cambodia. The tap water is not safe for drinking all over Cambodia, including restaurants and hotels.

Why Should You Avoid Drinking Tap Water in Cambodia?

You should avoid tap water in Cambodia as it has bacteria and pollutants that would make you sick.

Tap water in Cambodia does not go through a water treatment process, thus it is unsafe to drink it.

What Happens if You Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?

If you drink tap water in Cambodia, it will make you sick. Tap water in Cambodia has bacteria and if you drink it (even if accidentally), you will get sick.

To be on the safe side, drink bottled water that you can buy in supermarkets in Cambodia. It is important to get bottled water so that you don’t get sick from water during your trip. Alternatively, some hotels also have big water jars with clean drinking water that you can use to refill your bottle.

What is the Best Drinking Water in Cambodia?

If you are travelling in Cambodia, the best drinking water is bottled water or big water jars in hotels. Bottled water is available in shops and supermarkets and it is the best option for clean drinking water.

Many households in big cities in Cambodia also have water purification systems. But if you are travelling in Cambodia and staying in hotels, you should buy bottled water to have clean drinking water.

Some hotels also have big water jars with clean drinking water that you can use to refill your water bottle. It is a great option, also so you can reduce plastic waste.

You should also use the bottled water for cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, and for brushing your teeth.

Is Cooking with Tap Water in Cambodia Safe?

No, it is not safe to cook with tap water in Cambodia. You should use bottled water for cooking, including washing vegetables and fruits.

Even if you boil the water, it might kill off the bacteria, but there might be some other unsafe chemicals that will remain in the water that will make you sick.

Can I Wash Fruits and Vegetables with Tap Water in Cambodia?

No, you should not wash fruits and vegetables with tap water in Cambodia. Tap water is not safe for drinking or washing fruits and vegetables as it has bacteria.

You should wash fruits and vegetables using clean bottled water to make sure you don’t get sick.

Is it Safe to Have Drinks with Ice in Cambodia?

Yes, but only in high-end restaurants. In high-end restaurants, they make ice using safe drinking water.

If you are eating in local restaurants, the preparation of food and drinks may not be up to high hygienic standards. Thus, in local restaurants, there is a chance you might get sick if you have a drink with ice, as the water used for making ice might be unsafe.

Can I Eat Ice-cream in Cambodia?

Yes, you can eat ice-cream in Cambodia but make sure to get ice-cream from a supermarket rather than a street vendor. The ice-cream in supermarkets is made from good quality and it won’t get you sick.

Is it Safe to Wash Dishes with Tap Water in Cambodia?

Yes, you can wash dishes with tap water in Cambodia.

However, if it is your first time in Asia, it is best if you let the pots dry before using it for cooking.  If you use the pots while still wet, it might still have some bacteria on it.

Can I Brush My Teeth with Tap Water in Cambodia?

Yes, you can brush your teeth with tap water in Cambodia, however, don’t swallow the water.

If it’s your first time in Asia, the best practice is to use bottled water for brushing your teeth.

If you have already spent some time in Asia, you can slowly ease yourself into brushing your teeth with tap water. Just don’t forget that you shouldn’t swallow the water. If you accidentally swallow the water, you will get sick.

Can you Shower with the Water in Cambodia?

Yes, you can shower with the water in Cambodia, however, remember not to accidentally swallow the water while taking a shower. If you accidetally drink the water, it will make you sick.

FAQs: Can You Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?

Is it safe to drink tap water in Cambodia?

No, Cambodian tap water is not safe to drink.

Tap water in Cambodia does not go through a water treatment process thus, it has bacteria and pollutants. In case you drink it, it will make you sick.

While travelling in Cambodia, you should refill your water bottle with clean water from hotels or buy bottled water to make sure you don’t get sick.

Can you drink tap water in Phnom Penh?

No, you cannot drink tap water in Phnom Penh. The tap water in Phnom Penh, as well as tap water all over Cambodia, has bacteria and is not safe for drinking.

Can you drink tap water in Siem Reap?

No, you cannot drink tap water in Siem Reap. The tap water in Siem Reap is not clean and it is not safe for locals or travellers to drink it.

Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Cambodia?

Yes, you can brush your teeth with tap water in Cambodia, however, don’t swallow the water.

If it’s your first time in Asia, the best practice is to use bottled water for brushing your teeth.

If you have already spent some time in Asia, you can slowly ease yourself into brushing your teeth with tap water. Just don’t forget that you shouldn’t swallow the water. If you accidentally swallow the water, you will get sick.

Does Cambodia have clean drinking water?

No, Cambodia does not have clean drinking water. The tap water does not go through a water treatment process and it has bacteria and pollutants.

Thus, the tap water is not safe for drinking in Cambodia, both for locals or foreigners.

Is it safe to drink ice in Cambodia?

Yes, but only in high-end restaurants. In high-end restaurants, they make ice using safe drinking water.

If you are eating in local restaurants, the preparation of food and drinks may not be up to high hygienic standards. Thus, in local restaurants, there is a chance you might get sick if you have a drink with ice, as the water used for making ice might be unsafe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, no, you cannot drink tap water in Cambodia.

Tap water in Cambodia is not safe for drinking as it does not go through a water treatment process. Thus, tap water includes bacteria and pollutants which would make you sick if you drink it.

You should also not drink the tap water in hotels, bars or restaurants in Cambodia. Most of the hotels have big water jars from where you can refill your water bottle. The best practice is to take a refillable water bottle with you and keep refilling it with clean water at your hotel.

If it is your first time in Asia, you can use bottled water for brushing your teeth. Otherwise, you can use tap water for brushing your teeth in Cambodia, just make sure not to swallow the water.

You should also use bottled water for cooking or washing fruits and vegetables.