Is It Safe to Drink Tap Water in Denmark? (2024 Update)

Wondering if tap water in Denmark is safe to drink? Whether you’re planning a trip to Copenhagen or making a new home in Denmark, it is essential to know the quality of local water.

I’m living in Denmark and have in-depth knowledge of the water quality in the country. For all of us, staying healthy is a top concern, and drinking contaminated water is one of the quickest ways to fall sick.

So, if you’re concerned about staying healthy and want to know more about the safety of drinking tap water in Denmark, let’s dive into the details.

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Denmark?

Yes, Denmark tap water is perfectly safe to drink and is of high quality.

I have been drinking only tap water since I moved here and all the local Danes drink only tap water. I can assure you that drinking tap water here is not only safe but also a healthier and more sustainable option.

I have never faced any stomach upset or health issues because of contaminated water. In fact, I have never purchased bottled water in Denmark as the public water installations are available throughout the country.

Sources of Danish Tap Water

In Denmark, 98% of the drinking water is abstracted from groundwater aquifers that do not need special treatment, and the remaining 2% is from surface water. It is the highest percentage in the European Union.

Denmark wants clean groundwater – not treated groundwater, says the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

Danish water policy is based on prevention and implementing measures at source. The Ministry of Environment of Denmark says, “Danish groundwater policy is based on prevention of pollution rather than water treatment”.

The water utilities and municipalities are strictly involved in mapping, protecting, and closely monitoring groundwater resources to prevent contamination.

Before drinking water is supplied to consumers, it is aerated and filtered in order to remove most of the naturally occurring iron, manganese, and methane.

How Clean is Denmark Tap Water?

No matter where you’re in Denmark, you can find clean drinking water.

Clean water ranks highly on the Danish Government’s environmental policy agenda. Of the total expenditure on environmental initiatives in Denmark, the actions relating to water account for approximately 25% or more than a Billion Euros.

Denmark has made substantial investments and implemented efficient management practices to provide high-quality tap water to its citizens. Since 2009, Chlorine has been removed from the tap water throughout the country.

Denmark has a decentralized water supply system, with over 2,600 local public water utilities spread across the country.

Is Denmark’s Water Hard or Soft?

In Denmark, the water is moderately hard (> 60 mg/L) to hard (> 120 mg/L) which means that water contains high levels of minerals like Calcium and Magnesium. 

The water hardness varies throughout the country. In the capital city of Copenhagen, the water is hard while in Viborg, Ringkjobing, and Ribe, the water is soft.

While drinking hard water is safe for health, it can negatively affect your hair and skin, leading to dryness and irritation. It also leaves stains on the floors, household appliances, and plumbing systems.

Some tourists might feel that the taste of the hard water is not good. But Danes and the expats living in Denmark are used to it and love them.

If you prefer to use soft water, you can add filters and water softeners.

The simple and effective solution to reduce water hardness in the kitchen is to boil the hard water before using. Use apple cider vinegar for bathing and washing soda for laundry.

Do I need a Water Filter in Denmark for Drinking and Showering?

It is not needed or mandatory to use a water filter in Denmark. You can directly drink and shower from the tap water.

In Copenhagen, since the water is hard, a few Danes use a water filter in their kitchen for cooking and drinking purposes. However, most Danes use a water filter for showers. 

If you’re not used to drinking hard water, buy a water filter bottle. This filters out all the contaminations and gives you clean drinkable water to carry on the go.

Is it Safe to Drink Bathroom Water in Denmark?

Yes, it is safe to drink the bathroom water in Denmark. Even if you are staying in a hotel or living in a house in Denmark, bathroom water is drinkable. You can use it for cooking purposes too.

Bathroom water is the same water that flows through other faucets in the kitchen or public drinking water installations across the country.

Can I Drink Hot Water from the Tap?

NO. Do not drink hot water directly from the tap as it runs through different water systems and may contain contaminants.

What is Danskvand, Kildevand, and Mineralvand?

Vand translates to “Water”.

Danskvand is Danish water, Kildevand is spring water, and Mineralvand is mineral water. They are available in bottled water bottles in all the restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels across Denmark.

The Danes love Danskvand. It is carbonated water or sparkling water and tastes different from normal water.

Whenever you go to a restaurant and ask for “water”, the waiter will give you Danskvand. You need to be specific if you need normal water.

Is Tap Water Better than Bottled Water in Denmark? 

Denmark has high standards for drinking water quality from taps, on par with bottled drinking water.

Danes prefer tap water over bottled water. And it is completely FREE. I prefer tap water too as it comes from the natural groundwater and does not contain any harsh chemicals.

Skip bottled water – it is expensive, bad for the environment, and not any healthier than tap water.

Do you know? In Denmark, Beer is much cheaper than bottled water.

Can you drink water from lakes in Denmark?

There are approximately 120,000 lakes in Denmark.

The lakes in Denmark have nutrients like Phosphorus and Nitrogen and plant plankton (algae or phytoplankton) that most affect the water quality. Although the water quality in the lakes is improving, it is still poor for consumption.

Don’t drink water from the lakes in Denmark!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Denmark?

Water from the taps in Denmark is completely safe and drinkable. With strict regulations and frequent testing in place, the drinking water in Denmark is of high quality.

I use tap water for everything from cooking to showering to drinking, ever since I moved here.

The hard water may taste bad when you drink unfiltered. Invest in the best and most handy water filter to enjoy your holiday in Denmark.