Is tap water quality a landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

As a certified indoor environmental quality specialist operating in Dubai for over a decade, I can provide some clarity on this common issue. In the UAE, specifically under Dubai's rental laws (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the villa's core infrastructure, which includes the plumbing system that delivers water to the tap. However, the responsibility for the quality of the potable water itself falls under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). DEWA's water at the source meets high safety standards.

The problem you're likely facing in Al Barsha, a common one in older villas, is not the water source but the building's internal plumbing and storage tanks. Over time, tanks can accumulate sediment or biofilm, and old pipes can leach metals or harbor bacteria, which degrades water quality at the point of use. Your landlord's insistence on bottled water is unfortunately a common, yet unsustainable, workaround.

A water filter pitcher is a good start, but for a true eco-friendly and permanent solution, you need to address the root cause. I strongly recommend a professional water quality inspection. We can test for total dissolved solids (TDS), bacterial contamination (E.coli, coliform), heavy metals, and other parameters to pinpoint if the issue is the tank, the pipes, or simply misinformation.

If the inspection reveals contaminated storage tanks or faulty plumbing, this is absolutely the landlord's responsibility to rectify, as it pertains to the integrity of the property's infrastructure. We provide certified reports that can be presented to the landlord to substantiate your request for remediation. For a proper assessment and to finally end the bottled water cycle, give us a call at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com.