💧 Tap water in Poland – is it really safe to drink?

We hear more and more often that "Polish tap water is safe" and you can drink it straight from the tap.
Indeed, the water supplied by the municipal waterworks meets sanitary standards ,
but does that mean it is really healthy and tasty?
Let's check the facts.

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🧩 Where does the water in Polish taps come from?

Most Polish cities use surface water (rivers, lakes) or underground water.
Before it reaches the tap, it undergoes a treatment process, including filtration, aeration, and disinfection with chlorine.

Effect?
The water is microbiologically clean , but often full of chemical residues from disinfection.
In addition, there are secondary problems, such as contamination from the pipes through which water flows in buildings.

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⚠️ What could be in tap water?

Studies show that tap water in Poland often contains:

• 💧 chlorine and its derivatives – used for disinfection, they spoil the taste and smell,
• ⚙️ heavy metals – lead, copper and zinc from old installations,
• 🧫 microorganisms – bacteria, cysts and algae in older pipes,
• 🧴 microplastics and pharmaceutical residues – new pollutants whose standards are still being established,
• 💨 water hardness – excess calcium and magnesium forms scale in the kettle and coffee machine.

But that's not all.
Even if the water leaves the treatment plant in perfect condition,
it may become secondary contaminated in the last section of the route – in the pipes of a building or street.

🔧 Repairs, breakdowns and work on the water supply network

While:

• maintenance work,
• pipe replacement,
• pressure drops in the network

dirt from the ground or sediment from the pipes may be sucked in.
The water then often becomes cloudy, yellowish or brown in color , and may even contain bacteria and viruses .

That's why more and more people are choosing a reverse osmosis filter ,
which effectively removes both chemical and biological contaminants – including bacteria, viruses and cysts .

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👃 Why does tap water often smell or taste bad?

It is not only a matter of the quality of the source, but also:

• use of chlorine for disinfection,
• the presence of sulphides and organic compounds,
• and contact with metal or plastic pipes.

This is why many users describe the taste of tap water as "flat," "metallic," or "chlorine."

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💧 Tap water and health

Standards state that tap water should not be harmful to health ,
but this does not mean that it is optimal for daily consumption.

Long-term drinking of water with small amounts of chlorine, metals or microplastics
can burden the body, especially in children, pregnant women and people with allergies.

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💎 A clean alternative – reverse osmosis filter

The easiest way to improve the quality of your tap water is
is to install a filter under the sink with reverse osmosis .

Modern systems from brands such as Midea , Philips , ViO , Ecosoft and Aquaphor
are filtered continuously, without a tank , and provide:

• crystal clear water,
• no chlorine, odor and metals,
• better taste of food, coffee and tea,
• no plastic and bottles at home.

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🌿 Is it worth drinking tap water?

Yes – but after filtering .
The RO filter removes everything unnecessary, leaving the water fresh and healthy.
This is an economical, ecological and convenient solution.

💡 With an under-sink filter, you get premium quality water – straight from the tap, every day.

🔗 See also:

1. Under-sink water filter – which one to choose for the kitchen?
2. What is a reverse osmosis system and how does it work?