Sparkling water and safe tap water
Wasser mit Kohlensäure
Many Germans prefer water with bubbles. Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere, but restaurants sell bottled water.
Ask for "Wasser" and you may get sparkling mineral water. Say what you want: „still“ (no bubbles), „medium“ (a few) or „mit Kohlensäure“ / „sprudel“ (sparkling).
German tap water (Leitungswasser) is strictly controlled. The federal environment agency rates its quality as very good, and it costs far less than a cent per litre. Let the water run until it is cool if it stood in the pipes for hours.
In restaurants, water is usually a paid drink. Free tap water is not a habit, though some places give it if you ask.
You may hear
Ein stilles Wasser, bitte.A still water, please.
India and Germany
In India you usually need filtered or bottled water. In Germany you can fill your bottle at the kitchen tap.
German words for this
- das Leitungswasser · tap water
- still · still (no bubbles)
- die Kohlensäure · bubbles (carbonation)
- die Flasche · bottle
Sources
Last checked: 9 November 2026.
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