Is tap water healthy? What you need to know (2026)

Published on July 13, 2026 | Reading time: ~11 minutes

Is tap water healthy? The short answer is yes: in the Netherlands, tap water is generally very healthy and safe to drink. Our tap water is continuously tested and meets one of the strictest standards systems in the world. Nevertheless, the question keeps coming up, because terms like PFAS, microplastics, and lead in old pipes rightly make people curious about what exactly comes out of their tap.

In this guide, we explain why tap water is healthy, what minerals it contains, when caution is still wise, and whether you should filter your water at home. All supported by concrete figures and reliable sources such as the RIVM, Vewin, and the Drinking Water Platform.

1. What exactly is tap water?

Dutch tap water is therefore not "ordinary" water, but a carefully purified product. Unlike in many other countries, no chlorine is added to Dutch drinking water. The RIVM confirms that the quality of our tap water is among the best in the world.

The ten drinking water companies in the Netherlands perform hundreds of thousands of measurements annually. According to Vewin, the umbrella organization of water companies, more than half a million analyses are performed on over sixty different substances each year. This makes tap water one of the most thoroughly controlled food products you can buy, or in this case: simply tap from the faucet.

2. Is tap water healthy to drink?

Yes, tap water is healthy. For almost everyone in the Netherlands, it is safe to drink tap water daily without extra filtering. The water contains no added sugars, no calories, and no artificial additives. Moreover, according to the RIVM, it is often more strictly controlled than bottled water.

The reassurance comes from a robust control system. Drinking water must comply with the standards in the Drinking Water Decree, which are based on European directives. Independent bodies such as the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) supervise compliance. For healthy adults, children, and the elderly, tap water in the Netherlands is an excellent, affordable, and sustainable choice.

Important to know: "healthy" and "100% pure" are not the same. Tap water always contains traces of dissolved substances, which is normal and generally healthy. What matters is whether these substances remain within safe limits. And they almost always do.

3. The health benefits of tap water

Drinking water is the foundation of a healthy body. Tap water offers several specific benefits that go beyond mere hydration.

Optimal hydration

The human body consists of approximately 60% water. Drinking enough, on average 1.5 to 2 liters per day, supports your energy level, concentration, temperature regulation, and the transport of nutrients to your cells. Dehydration of only 1 to 2% of your body weight can already lead to fatigue and reduced concentration.

A healthy alternative to soft drinks

Anyone who replaces soft drinks or sweetened juices with tap water quickly saves hundreds of calories a day. A glass of soda contains an average of 7 to 10 sugar cubes. Tap water contains none, which is beneficial for your weight, your teeth, and a stable blood sugar level.

Good digestion

Water helps digestion run smoothly and prevents constipation. It is necessary to absorb nutrients in the intestines and excrete waste products via the kidneys.

Sustainable and affordable

Drinking tap water saves mountains of plastic. One household switching from bottled water to tap water quickly prevents hundreds of plastic bottles per year. And that at a fraction of the cost.

4. What minerals are in tap water?

Tap water naturally contains dissolved minerals that contribute to your daily intake. The exact amount varies by region, depending on the water source. These are the most important:

• Calcium: important for strong bones and teeth. The concentration varies greatly by region, from approximately 40 to 90 milligrams per liter.
• Magnesium: plays a role in muscles, nerves, and your energy balance.
• Potassium: helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
• Sodium and bicarbonate: present in small amounts and contribute to the taste.

The amount of calcium and magnesium also determines the hardness of the water. Hard water is not unhealthy but causes limescale in appliances. Soft water, on the other hand, contains fewer minerals. Do you want to know how hard your water is? Check our page on water hardness per municipality.

5. Points of attention: when is caution wise?

Tap water is healthy, but there are situations where extra attention is advisable. These points are not about panic, but about being well-informed.

Lead in old pipes

Houses built before 1960 sometimes still have lead indoor pipes. Water that has been stagnant in such a pipe for a long time can absorb lead. The EU standard for lead was tightened in 2023 from 10 to 5 micrograms per liter. According to the Drinking Water Platform, approximately 1.8% of random samples at the tap exceed this lead standard, almost always due to pipes inside the house. Lead is particularly harmful to young children and pregnant women. You can read more about this in our guide on filtering lead in tap water.

PFAS and microplastics

PFAS (the so-called "forever chemicals") and microplastics are substances that are receiving increasing attention. Concentrations in Dutch tap water are low and remain below the applicable standards, but the RIVM is still investigating the long-term effects. If you prefer to avoid these substances entirely, a certified filter offers a solution. Read our explanation of PFAS and forever chemicals and microplastics in tap water.

Medicine residues

Traces of medicine residues can enter the source via surface water. The amounts are very small and, according to Milieu Centraal, not harmful, but the trend is closely monitored. More on this in our article about medicine residues in tap water.

Vulnerable groups

People with a severely weakened immune system, and parents preparing formula for a baby, may benefit from extra precaution. For this, please see our guides on water filters for baby food and water filters during pregnancy.

6. Should you filter tap water?

For most people, filtering is not strictly necessary, as tap water is already safe. However, more and more households choose to filter for three reasons: extra certainty, better taste, and convenience.

A certified filter removes substances such as lead, PFAS, chlorine byproducts, and microplastics that may be present in the water due to old pipes or the source. In addition, it improves the taste, which is especially noticeable in areas with hard water or a slight aftertaste. If you filter at the source, you also drink clean water without having to carry bottles.

It is important, however, to choose a filter that retains healthy minerals. A simple filter pitcher does little, and reverse osmosis removes too much. The golden mean is a certified inline filter that removes contamination and adds minerals.

7. Comparison table: tap water and alternatives

Want to know more about the differences? Read our comparison tap water vs. bottled water or check out the site PureFilter vs. Brita and PureFilter vs. Berkey.

8. PureFilter Mineral+: healthy water while retaining minerals

The PureFilter Mineral+ combines two things that rarely go together: it removes more than 100 contaminants and it adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium back using Swedish Mineral Rock™ technology. This way, you get the safety of a filter without sacrificing the healthy minerals that make tap water so valuable.

The filter is independently certified to NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372, the international standards for taste, health claims, material safety, and lead-free components. It connects directly under your sink and filters all the water you drink and cook with.

• Capacity: 15,000 to 20,000 liters per cartridge, sufficient for about a year for an average household.
• Installation: 5 to 10 minutes, no plumber needed.
• Price: from 149.90 euros including filters, replacement filter from 49.90 euros.
• Removes among others: lead, PFAS, microplastics, chlorine byproducts, pharmaceutical residues, and nitrate.

9. Buying advice: do you need a filter?

The choice depends on your situation:

• Do you live in a modern home with good pipes? Then you can safely drink unfiltered tap water. A filter is then mainly a choice for taste and extra assurance.
• Do you live in a house built before 1960 or are you unsure about the pipes? Then choose an NSF 53-certified inline filter like the PureFilter Mineral+, which effectively removes lead and other heavy metals.
• Do you prefer to avoid PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceutical residues entirely? A certified point-of-use filter is the most complete solution.
• Do you live in a rental property? Check out our guide on a water filter in a rental property for the possibilities.

Still wondering which model suits you best? Then check out our page best water filter, the under-sink water filter, or the frequently asked questions.

10. Frequently asked questions about healthy tap water

11. Conclusion

Is tap water healthy? Without a doubt. Dutch tap water is among the most controlled and safest drinks in the world, contains beneficial minerals, no chlorine, and no sugar, and is also extremely cheap and sustainable. For almost everyone, it is perfectly fine to drink unfiltered tap water daily.

At the same time, there are situations where extra assurance is desirable: old pipes with a chance of lead, or the desire to avoid PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceutical residues. In such cases, a certified point-of-use filter is the smartest choice. The PureFilter Mineral+ removes more than 100 contaminants and adds healthy minerals via Swedish Mineral Rock™, so your water is not only clean but also tastes good. Installation takes 5 to 10 minutes. Want to know more? Visit purefilter.nl.