Dutch Side (Sint Maarten): Reliable and Safe
Tap water on the Dutch side of St. Martin is safe to drink, with high-quality standards upheld by state-of-the-art desalination plants operated by Seven Seas Water Group. These facilities convert seawater into potable water through reverse osmosis, producing over 6 million gallons daily. While the water is generally safe for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth, its taste may differ due to mineral content. Many visitors opt for bottled water for convenience.
French Side (Saint-Martin): Variable Quality
The tap water on the French side also meets EU standards, but faces occasional issues with quality and reliability, partly due to infrastructure challenges and the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Some visitors report yellow-tinted water or a strong chlorine taste. While these signs don’t indicate harmful water, many accommodations on the French side have private cisterns or filtration systems to ensure a clean supply, and bottled water remains the safest option for drinking.
The Source of Island Water
Both sides rely on desalination plants, with the Dutch side’s modern facilities offering consistent quality. However, the French side’s aging infrastructure has led to occasional disruptions, especially during weather-related stresses.
Health Considerations
While tap water is generally safe, those with sensitive stomachs, chlorine sensitivity, or weakened immune systems may want to stick to bottled or filtered water. Yellow-tinted water, more common on the French side, is not harmful, but should be avoided for drinking.
Expert Tips for Safe Hydration
- Let the water flow: Run the tap for 30-60 seconds to flush out any sediment in older buildings.
- Use filters: A water filter pitcher can improve taste and reduce chlorine levels.
- Check your accommodations: Inquire about water filtration systems or cisterns, especially on the French side.
- Bottled water: Always have bottled water on hand, particularly on the French side, or during outdoor activities.
- Dress Appropriately: Making sure you have a hat on, seek shade under a tree or be sure to have an umbrella for a long beach day. These precautions will help with “over-heating” and dehydration. Take intervals in the full sun.
- Carry a bit of pocket cash: You may underestimate your thirst on a day excursion out and about. Also have a few dollars, while jogging or walking, so you can pick up more water along the way.
Conclusion
While tap water on the Dutch side is reliable, the French side may experience occasional disruptions. For peace of mind, many travellers opt for bottled water, ensuring a safe and enjoyable stay on this beautiful island. There are mini-markets and larger supermarkets everywhere on the island, there are various sizes of bottled water and you can even buy full cases, so it’s best to see what works for you.
It is common European practice to order a “tall bottle” of water for the table when dining out. However, if you request tap water, most places will give it to you. If you are going hiking or biking, or having a remote beach day on Happy Bay, for example, make sure to bring along plenty of water (be safe and overestimate your water consumption). This is the hot Caribbean heat, and the sun is blazing from 11:00am through 6:00pm and one can easily dehydrate in such conditions. Certain hiking trails like Guana Bay have very little shade coverage and nowhere to buy water along the way. The hike from Guana Bay to the natural pool and back can take 45 mins for a jogger, and three hours for one who is sight-seeing, so it’s best to bring some snacks with sugar, juice or fruits.
Source: stmaartenadventure.com/can-i-drink-tap-water-in-st-martin
