Is Boiled Water Safe to Drink?
24-09-25
Is Boiled Water Safe to Drink?
Yes – boiled water is generally safe to drink. Bringing water to a rolling boil kills many harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites (which is why health authorities recommend it during boil-water alerts). But boiling water doesn’t remove chemical contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals or microplastics. Some dissolved substances can even become more concentrated as water evaporates.
So while boiled water is safe to drink in emergencies, it’s not the most reliable way to ensure consistently clean, great-tasting water at home. For that, filtration is the better choice.
Now, let’s look closer at the safety of boiled water. We’ll cover:
- Why boiling makes water safer
- Does boiling water remove all contaminants?
- How to boil water so it’s safe
- The official Australian stance on the safety of boiled tap water
- Why filtration is a good solution
Why boiling makes water safer
Boiling water works. It’s one of the oldest and most reliable ways to deal with germs in drinking water. Bring water to a rolling boil (i.e. keep it at a high enough temperature for long enough) and the heat will inactivate many bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause illness.
That’s why organisations like the World Health Organisation and NSW Health recommend boiling during emergencies such as floods, contamination events or when local authorities issue a boil-water alert.
The method is simple: boil for at least one minute, or three minutes at higher altitudes. Once cooled, that water is safe to drink from a microbial perspective.
In short, boiling is a trusted safeguard when the immediate concern is germs. But when the challenge is chemical contaminants or everyday taste and clarity, you need more than heat alone.
Does boiling water remove chemical contaminants?
No. Boiling water doesn’t remove chemical contaminants. And these are the kinds of contaminants that affect water quality every day.
Take chlorine, for example. It’s an essential addition to most Australian water supplies to keep bacteria at bay, but it can leave a strong taste or odour that boiling doesn’t remove. The same goes for heavy metals like lead, or asbestos fibres that can leach from aging infrastructure. These remain behind, no matter how long the water stays on the stove.
Then there are emerging contaminants. PFAS ( the “forever chemicals” detected in Australian water supplies) are not destroyed by boiling. Microplastics are equally resistant. In fact, because water evaporates during the process, boiling can sometimes concentrate certain dissolved contaminants, including PFAS and nitrates.
So while boiled water is safe to drink in terms of microbes, it’s not a solution for chemical pollutants or for improving taste. For that, you need to consider other methods (like certified and advanced filtration).
Learn more: Does boiling water remove PFAS?
How long should you boil water to make it safe?
If you need to boil water for safe drinking, we’ve got good news: it doesn’t take long. Health authorities, including the Australian Government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. If you’re at higher altitudes where water boils at a lower temperature, extend this to three minutes.
That’s enough to inactivate most harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. Once cooled, the water is considered safe to drink from a microbial perspective.
Boiling longer won’t make your water any safer, so stick to the guidelines: boil briefly, cool, and use.
The Australian context: Is boiled water safe to drink across the country?
Australia’s tap water is among the safest and most regulated in the world, thanks to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). These set strict benchmarks for microbial, chemical and physical safety, and local utilities work hard to meet them. So, yes, across Australia, boiled tap water is safe to drink.
But “safe” on paper doesn’t always feel the same at the tap. Water quality varies depending on the source and the system that delivers it.
In Sydney or Brisbane, chlorine can be noticeable. In Adelaide, reliance on the River Murray can mean mineral-heavy, harder-tasting water. Smaller towns may face turbidity (meaning their water is cloudy or opaque) or the challenges of ageing pipes. And in areas near fire training grounds or military bases, PFAS contamination has been detected in groundwater.
These issues won’t be fixed by boiling the water. Boiling helps with germs, but it won’t take away chlorine odour, reduce hardness, or remove persistent contaminants like PFAS and microplastics.
That’s why many Australians turn to filtration: to bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and the everyday experience of cleaner, fresher water at home.
Why filtration is the better choice every day
Boiling is a quick and important safeguard, but it isn’t built for daily life. Filtration is. A high-quality filter doesn’t just make water microbiologically safe; it reduces the other contaminants that boiling leaves behind.
That means you can cut down on chlorine taste, remove asbestos and reduce heavy metals. It also tackles the emerging challenges of our time: PFAS, which are detected in much of Australia’s water, and microplastics, which are now found almost everywhere.
Filtration does all this while keeping the natural minerals your body needs. The result is water that’s not only safer, but crisper, fresher and more enjoyable to drink. And because filtered water is ready at the tap, there’s no waiting, no cooling, and no need for bottled water.
If you care about health, design and sustainability, filtration is the smarter everyday choice. It fits into your busy routines, supports healthier hydration habits, and makes every glass feel good.
Learn more: Is filtered water good for you?
How Zip fits into the picture
Boiling water is fine in an emergency, but for everyday drinking, Australians are choosing something better. Meet the Zip HydroTap.
Every Zip HydroTap has MicroPurity filtration built in. It’s independently certified to remove chlorine, asbestos, microplastics and heavy metals, and reduce up to 99.4% of total PFAS*. All the things boiling leaves behind are taken care of, while the healthy minerals stay in. The difference is water that tastes clean and crisp – straight from the tap.
And it’s not just about safety. A HydroTap makes life easier. Need boiling water for tea? It’s ready instantly. Want chilled water after a run, or sparkling when friends drop by? One tap does it all — no kettles, bottles or bench-top clutter. And with a choice of styles and finishes, it looks as good as it performs.
Shop our HydroTap range or explore boiling water taps, chilled water taps and sparkling water taps to discover the smarter way to drink more water, reduce waste and save time (without compromising on taste or design).
Do you need help choosing? Try our HydroTap selector tool, or read more about how the HydroTap is certified to reduce 99.4% of total PFAS*, and whether water filters remove microplastics.
* Zip MicroPurity filters sizes 1 and 1.5 (93701 and 93702) are certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 to reduce 99.4% of Total PFAS (average reduction).
