Can You Drink Tap Water in Mauritania?

Tap water in Mauritania is not safe to drink for visitors. Mauritania is one of the most water-scarce countries in Africa — around 90% of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert and the country has very limited surface water or groundwater resources. Water is treated and distributed in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou but quality is inconsistent and not safe for visitors to drink directly from the tap.

Nouakchott, the capital, is one of the world's largest cities built in a desert — a rapidly expanding metropolis sitting on the edge of the Sahara with Atlantic Ocean access. The city's water comes from aquifers and the Senegal River via pipeline, treated and distributed by the national utility. Hotels and guesthouses provide bottled or filtered water for guests. Bottled water is available in supermarkets in the capital.

Nouadhibou, the northern port city and gateway to the Banc d'Arguin National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most important bird sanctuaries — has a treated water supply that is not reliably safe for visitors. Hotels and fishing lodge operators in the area provide safe water for guests.

Mauritania's remarkable Saharan heritage sites — including the ancient caravan cities of Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, and Oualata, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites — are the country's primary tourism draw. These towns sit deep in the Sahara with extremely limited water infrastructure. Bottled water is available in Chinguetti and Ouadane but in limited quantities. Carry substantial extra reserves beyond what you expect to need in the desert heat.

Use sealed bottled water throughout Mauritania. For any Sahara desert travel, water planning is a safety-critical issue — carry significantly more than you expect to need. Dehydration risk in Mauritania's extreme heat is acute. A filter provides useful emergency backup but cannot replace adequate water reserves.