Travel Tip of the Week – Don’t Drink the Water!!!
Photo by Cactusautobus
Most people are aware that drinking water in foreign places can likely cause water-borne illnesses ( you’ve heard of Montezuma’s Revenge?) because you might not have adapted to the water the way that folks local to an area have. So we know not to drink the local water unless you can boil it or have those little pills that would purify the water and to ask for bottled water. But there might be other areas to watch out for that might not be so obvious.
If you can’t drink the water, you probably shouldn’t use it to brush your teeth either. I also wonder about ice cubes. Would there be any risk to having iced drinks? What about fresh fruit and veggies? Would they be washed in local water? Seems like there might be some risk there too. Anyone have any thoughts or information on this?
I figured I would hop on over to CDC to see if I could find out anything more definitive. There is a handy pdf there “A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment and Sanitation for Backcountry and Travel Use”.
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What a cheerful experience!
Burrito Wizard - February 12, 2010 at 11:08 pm
When I visited my South Indian relatives, I witnessed a 97 year old man drinking water that would have put my Washington, DC raised body in the morgue. I envy that 97 year old man’s immune system, and would like to find a way to develop one like it. Maybe that’s just crazy?
Arlene - February 14, 2010 at 6:29 pm
No, that is not crazy at all. Who wouldn’t like a better immune system. Don’t forget though that he has been drinking that water all along and that factors in to why his system can tolerate it. Bet he would have some problems if he went elsewhere and drank water with different bacterial his body wasn’t ready for. It is all relative. But just knowing what to watch for and what precautions to take so you won’t ruin a trip with water that isn’t safe for outsiders to drink is still a good thing.
On a different issue, Burrito Wizard, sorry for all the snow up in DC right now. I used to live there before moving to Florida and remember the ice storms mostly mixed with some snow, but what you are getting now beats all.
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen - February 15, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I would say anything with a peel on it can be eaten. And I agree with BW, having a good immune system can save you a lot of grief.
Heather on her travels - February 23, 2010 at 3:36 am
I do think you have to take local advice on this one – obviously in many parts of the world it’s just not worth the risk of spoiling your holiday, but in parts of Europe the tap water is perfectly safe to drink & I personally think it’s better not to polute the environment with all those plastic bottles if you don’t have to
Michelle - March 31, 2010 at 10:52 pm
There is definitely risk to iced drinks AND fruits/veg. Jenn is right, the only “safe” ones are those that are peeled (by you). Tooth brushing can also be an issue. Side note – sometimes you have to be careful with bottled water, as locals will often recycle bottles and refill them with tap water then sell them to tourists. Be sure if you buy bottled, it has an unbroken seal.
Having said that, common sense is usually sufficient. Most hotels catering to tourists offer safe drinking water for visitors. Usually people are pretty straightforward about what is safe/not. I’d stay away from any street vendors, but good restaurants/hotels are usually ok if they say they are.