When booking a holiday or that bucket-list destination trip, the safety of tap water probably isn’t at the forefront of your mind. Yet, consuming unsafe water can quickly spoil that dream holiday. 

Not only can it give you an upset stomach but it can leave you feeling worse for wear.

The team at Travelbag analysed water quality, bottled water prices, and Google search data to find out which countries to avoid drinking tap water.

Researchers also surveyed 2,000 Brits to determine their understanding and attitudes towards the safety of tap water abroad.

They found almost half of Brits will only drink bottled water abroad, even if it is safe to drink tap water in that country. However, only 15 percent of Brits feel confident they know where they can and cannot safely drink water abroad.

Furthermore, a staggering 80 percent don’t research tap water safety before visiting a new destination. 

Unsurprisingly, this uncertainty leads many to adopt a ‘better safe than sorry’ mindset, with 45 percent admitting to opting for only bottled water on holiday. 

Let’s take a look at the destinations where you should avoid drinking tap water with the lowest-rated water quality score. In these places, you will be better off drinking bottled water. 

1. India

Tap water in India is some of the least safe across the globe, with a water quality score of just 19.4 out of 100. The water is known to carry bacteria, viruses, and pollutants. For this reason, it is recommended travellers drink bottled water, which can be bought for £0.27.

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.27

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 19.4

2. South Africa

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) -£0.71

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 24.6

3. Indonesia 

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) -£0.34

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 28.4

4. Brazil

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.49

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 46.1

5. Maldives 

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.41

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 47.8

6. Turkey

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.24

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 52.6

7. Vietnam

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.39

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 52.7

8. Mexico

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.75

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 52.8

9. Thailand

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.37

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 55.8

10. Saudi Arabia

Cost of 1.5-litre bottled water (£) – £0.48

Water quality score (EPI) out of 100 – 59.3

According to the survey, 79 percent of Brits believe that tap water isn’t safe to drink in France, when in fact the country boasts an EPI (environmental performance index) water quality score of 96.2. 

Likewise, despite Germany having some of the safest water in the world, with a quality score of 99, an astonishing 76 percent of Brits believe it’s unsafe to drink. 

Australia, which has a water quality score of 87 out of 100 sees 72 percent of Brits distrusting its tap water.