✨ Quick Summary
The Reality of Maltese Tap Water
One of the first questions every new expat asks is: "Can I drink the tap water in Malta?" The technical answer is yes. The practical answer is no.
Because Malta has no rivers and very limited groundwater, over 60% of the island's municipal water is generated through large-scale Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants that desalinate Mediterranean seawater. This water is then blended with groundwater before being piped into homes.
Maltese tap water rigorously meets all EU and World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards. It will not make you sick, and it is perfectly safe for brushing your teeth, showering, and boiling pasta. However, because it is heavily chlorinated to prevent bacteria buildup in the warm pipes, and naturally high in minerals, it has a very harsh, unpalatable taste. Furthermore, its "hard" mineral content will rapidly build up limescale in kettles and coffee machines. Consequently, the vast majority of locals and expats do not drink it straight from the tap.
Water Delivery Companies (19-Litre Jugs)
To avoid lugging heavy 6-packs of plastic water bottles from the supermarket every week, most households and offices in Malta rely on water delivery services. These companies provide a hot/cold water dispenser and deliver large, reusable 19-litre (5-gallon) polycarbonate jugs straight to your door.
The Main Providers:
EcoPure
Operated by the Farsons Group (the makers of Kinnie and Cisk). They are highly reliable, offer modern dispensers, and have an easy-to-use online ordering portal. They are the market leader for residential delivery.
H2Only
A major competitor to EcoPure, known for competitive pricing and prompt delivery routes across both Malta and Gozo. They offer various dispenser styles, including compact countertop models.
Kristal / General Soft Drinks
Produces the locally popular Kristal water. While they do residential delivery, they are heavily focused on corporate and office environments.
Costs and Delivery Logistics
Setting up a water delivery service is straightforward, but it involves some upfront costs.
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The Dispenser: You can either rent or buy the water dispenser.
Buying a standard freestanding hot/cold dispenser usually costs between €100 and €150. Renting it typically costs around €50 per year. (If you are renting an apartment, check with your landlord first—many furnished apartments already have a dispenser included). - Bottle Deposits: When you first sign up, you must pay a refundable deposit for the thick plastic jugs (usually around €8 to €10 per bottle). You typically start with an inventory of 3 or 4 bottles.
- The Water Cost: A full 19-litre refill typically costs between €4.50 and €6.00 depending on the provider and your specific plan.
- The Delivery Route: Malta is divided into delivery zones. Your area will be assigned a specific day of the week (e.g., every Tuesday). You simply leave your empty bottles outside your door (or in your apartment lobby), and the delivery driver will swap them for full ones and charge your account.
The Alternative: Home Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Over the last few years, there has been a massive shift away from plastic jugs toward installing private, under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filters. This is considered the most sustainable and convenient option for expats staying long-term.
How it works: An installation company (such as Tapp Water or Crosscraft) installs a multi-stage filtration system under your kitchen sink. This system purifies the harsh municipal tap water, removing chlorine, heavy metals, and limescale. A small, secondary "drinking water" tap is installed next to your main kitchen faucet.
Installation: A standard 5-stage under-sink RO system costs between €250 and €400 to buy and install. The filters must be changed annually (costing around €50-€80/year).
Government Grant: To reduce single-use plastics, the Maltese government frequently runs a highly popular grant scheme that reimburses up to 15.25% of the purchase price (capped at €70) of an approved RO system. Note: If you are renting, you must get your landlord's written permission to install the system and drill the small hole for the secondary tap.