Every year on March 22, the global community comes together to observe World Water Day, a United Nations initiative aimed at highlighting the importance of freshwater and advocating for sustainable management of this vital resource.
This year, we’ve decided to start a new tradition: dedicating an annual blog post to World Water Day, highlighting water issues and sustainability efforts in a different city each year. For World Water Day 2025, we’re putting the spotlight on Rome, exploring how the Eternal City is managing its precious water resources and the innovative steps it’s taking toward a more sustainable future.
Tap Water in Rome: Everything Travelers Need to Know
All travelers in Rome know how it feels to be thirsty under the Roman sun. Do you know where you can get clean, cold drinking water in Rome? That’s right—everywhere! The many ever-running fountains in the Eternal City provide fresh, safe water while you walk around admiring its ancient beauty. This guide will give you all the details about the quality of tap water in Rome, where to find it, and why Rome’s approach to water is worth admiring.
Is Tap Water in Rome Safe to Drink?
If you’re visiting Rome for the first time, you’re probably asking yourself if you can safely drink tap water or fountain water. The answer is yes. Rome’s tap water is not only safe to drink, it’s also part of a long-standing tradition and a deeply rooted water culture that dates back to Roman engineering feats.
Tap Water in Rome Is Safe—and Proudly So
Since ancient times, Rome was known as Regina Aquarum—the Queen of Waters. Its fountains, aqueducts, and water distribution systems have long symbolized abundance and ingenuity. The tradition continues today, with over 1,500 decorative fountains and more than 2,800 “Nasoni” (literally “big noses”)—iconic cast iron fountains that pour cold drinking water 24/7 across the city.
These fountains aren’t just historical ornaments—they’re a living part of Rome’s infrastructure. In fact, Acea, the utility company managing the city’s water, recently committed 3 million euros to maintain the “Nasoni” and 200 modern “Case dell’Acqua”, which also dispense free still and sparkling water. The cost? Just 1 euro per year per resident, a small price for something so vital and accessible.
Quality Control: What’s in the Water?
Tap water in Rome—whether it’s from your hotel sink or a street fountain—is closely monitored and controlled. It’s regularly tested for physical and chemical composition, microbiological safety, and mineral balance.
If you’re curious, there’s a hidden gem of a tool that lets you see the exact water composition in your area of Rome:
- Visit the ACEA website.
- Enter your address (your hotel, apartment, or anywhere in Rome).
- Click on the map to generate a detailed PDF report with data on your local water supply.
It’s a fascinating peek into what’s in your glass—and a reassuring one, too.
How to Find the Nearest Fountain in Rome (and Beyond)
Feeling thirsty yet?
You can locate the nearest “nasone” with a handy free tool that maps public fountains across Rome. And if you’re traveling to another Italian city—like Milan, Turin, or Genoa—you can use the same platform to find drinking water wherever you go.
While there is always a temporary shutdown of some fountains during the summer water emergencies, most of the 2,800 Nasoni remain fully operational today, even in the hottest months.
Rome’s Smart Approach to Water Management
Rome isn’t just proud of its water—it’s serious about protecting it. In 2024, water leakage in the capital’s distribution network dropped to 27%, a remarkable number compared to the national average of 42%. Thanks to massive infrastructure investments, including the 1.5 billion euro project to double the Peschiera Aqueduct, Rome is future-proofing its water supply. This aqueduct currently provides 85% of the city’s potable water.
In addition to maintaining fountains and pipelines, Rome is embracing sustainability. Many historic fountains are being upgraded to recycle their water, reducing waste. Recycled water is now used to irrigate public spaces, such as Piazzale di Porta Pia and Piazza San Giovanni, and even to keep landmarks like Piazza Navona’s fountains flowing beautifully.
Education, Innovation, and the Future
In celebration of World Water Day, Acea is investing in public education. Through school programs, guided visits to treatment plants, and collaboration with institutions, Rome is helping future generations understand the importance of water conservation. The message is clear: water is not only a right for humans, non-human animals and plants, it’s a resource that powers economies, impacts ecosystems, and defines cities.
Final Thoughts: Rome, a Model for Urban Water Access
Rome’s tap water is a symbol of the city’s history, innovation, and commitment to sustainability. So the next time you fill your bottle at a “nasone,” remember—you’re drinking water from a city that has spent over two thousand years mastering the art of public water access.
Whether you’re strolling through Trastevere or standing in awe before the Trevi Fountain, you can sip safely, just like the Romans do.
Tap Water in Rome: Everything Travelers Need to Know
All travelers in Rome know how it feels to be thirsty under the Roman sun. Do you know where you can get clean, cold drinking water in Rome? That’s right, everywhere! The many ever-running fountains in Rome will provide you with fresh water while you walk around admiring the beauties. This tool will give you all the details about the quality of tap water in Rome.
Is Tap Water in Rome Safe to Drink?
If you’re visiting Rome for the first time, you’re probably asking yourself if you can safely drink tap water or fountain water. Well, the answer is Yes, and we’re here to help you find your source of water in Rome.
Tap Water in Rome is Safe to Drink
Since ancient times, Rome was known as Queen Aquarum, the Queen of the Water. The fountains, besides being fun and beautiful, represented a real show-off of exceptional water availability, enhancing the magnificence and power of the city.
Rome is full of fountains built over the centuries celebrating the triumph of water. There are more than 1,500 fountains in Rome, most of them located in the historic center, while others are well hidden in courtyards of palaces and gardens of villas. Rome is also famous for its over 2,500 “Nasoni” (Big Nose in Italian), cast iron fountains ceaselessly pouring cold drinking water throughout the city, especially in the historic center.
There’s a Hidden Tool to Find Out What’s in the Water in Rome
Tap water in Rome, whether at your hotel, apartment, or from the fountains, is clean and controlled. You can safely drink it. If you don’t believe what you’re told, check for yourself!
In our quest to unveil the hidden tools that can make your life in Rome easier, we want to share this very helpful tool that allows you to check water quality in your specific area of Rome:
- First, visit the ACEA website, the utility company providing water in Rome.
- Insert your address in Rome (your hotel, apartment, or anywhere you’d like to check the water quality).
- A small pin will appear on the map.
- Click anywhere on the map outside the pin. A little window will appear.
- Click on “Clicca qui” to download a detailed PDF report with the physical and chemical characteristics, including micro-composition and relevant elements of your drinking water.
How to Find the Closest Water Fountain in Rome and Other Italian Cities
All this talk about water quality has made us thirsty!
Due to the summer 2017 water emergency, ACEA temporarily and gradually closed some of the 2,800 public “Nasoni”. However, many remain fully operational.
If you wish to find free drinking water nearby, use this free tool to locate the closest water fountain in Rome—you’ll easily find a nasone in your area!
If your next stop is another gorgeous Italian city, you can use the same tool to find drinking water in Milan, Turin, Genoa, Trieste, and many other cities.
Health and Water Quality
Besides being a basic human right, access to drinking water is essential for good health. At a micro-level, water contains elements necessary for sustaining health, though excessive concentrations can become harmful.
The WHO provides guidelines for drinking-water quality to ensure dangerous substances stay within safe limits. Significant progress has been made globally in the last 15 years, particularly during the “Water for Life” decade promoted by the United Nations.
To be fair, Italy maintains high standards of water quality and consistently meets international guidelines. Rome, in particular, has been identified as one of the best places for drinking tap water.
For more technical information on this topic, you can refer to this paper presented at the XV World Water Day at the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in 2015, published by Springer in 2016.
