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Can you drink tap water in Gothenburg?

Where Gothenburg's tap water comes from, how it is checked and how to get the best taste.

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Short answer

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Gothenburg, which comes from the Göta älv river and is treated at the Alelyckan and Lackarebäck plants. The City of Gothenburg says the quality is mostly better than Livsmedelsverket requires. The city describes drinking water as one of its most controlled foods.

Gothenburg Illustration of a water bottle, a luggage locker, a toilet sign and a clock

Why

  1. According to the City of Gothenburg, the water comes from Göta älv, and about half goes to the Alelyckan plant while the rest passes the Delsjöarna lakes to the Lackarebäck plant.
  2. According to the City of Gothenburg, the quality of the drinking water is for the most part better than Livsmedelsverket requires.
  3. According to the City of Gothenburg, the water quality is monitored regularly at seven measuring stations along Göta älv, and about 70 parameters are analysed.

Details

Two of the measuring stations also run automatic E. coli tests twice a day, and the two plants together produce 170 million litres a day. In hot summers the water temperature can exceed the 20 °C limit, and the city suggests chilling tap water in a jug. For the city see Gothenburg, and for travel costs see whether Sweden is expensive to visit.

Tip

Run the cold tap until the water is cold and clear before you drink or cook, especially after the supply has been shut off, as the city advises.

What may differ

Hot tap water is not for drinking, since Svenskt Vatten advises never to drink it straight from the tap. A municipality can also recommend boiling the water if there is a suspicion of germs, according to Livsmedelsverket.

People also ask

  • Is tap water safe to drink in Gothenburg?
  • Can I drink tap water in Gothenburg?

Sources

Information checked on 28 October 2026.

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