Yes. But they also sell bottled water if you are nervous about it.

Hi Hilmel
On our first trip to Europe (from Australia)we were in Italy, and I too wasn't sure so boiled all our drinking water and stored it in the fridge.

Since then we have been in different parts of Europe over a number of years, and haven't had any problems with drinking water.

Recently I was told by a cousin in UK that you should never use the bathroom tap water to rinse out with after brushing your teeth, as it isn't drinkable (potable) - have done this in blissful ignorance for a number of years without problems! Di

>>Recently I was told by a cousin in UK that you should never use the bathroom tap water to rinse out with after brushing your teeth, as it isn't drinkable (potable)<<

I rather thought UK Building Regulations required cold water supply to be drinkable. In most places, it would be unlikely for the bathroom cold supply to come from anywhere other than direct from the mains, like the kitchen supply.

I too was surprised, Patrick - my cousin has lived all his life in London.

Tap water is perfectly safe. End of discussion!

"rather thought UK Building Regulations required cold water supply to be drinkable"

By definition building regs apply only to houses where building is going on. Britain in general - but England in particular - has just about the oldest housing stock in the developed world, with well over half our houses and flats predating such intrusions into the human rights of jerry builders (a term, BTW, generally held to derive from a Liverpool building company. Possibly the least surprising arcane fact ever revealed on the web)

Most pre-building reg water supplies to bathrooms were held in a water tank at the top of the house, which supplied all the taps apart from the kitchen and the central heating system. Patrick, I would have thought, is of the generation where investigating the tank in the loft frequently uncovered a wide variety of life forms, as well as bits and pieces of Victorian roof and ceiling masonry.

A lifetime's exposure to water kept in such a tank created immunity from whatever unpleasantnesses might have lurked inside - as well as breeding true grit, emotional continence, grace under pressure and a high level of scepticism in those brought up on it. Scientists estimate that house restoration and new building meant that we reached the point where fewer than 50% of the population had grown up on it around August 1997 - explaining the unEnglish outbreak of mass hysteria and absurd sentiment at the death of Princess Di. Also explaining men's cosmetics and flavoured coffee.

If staying in an unrestored British house, visitors may drink the water with confidence. All that will happen to them is an acute allergy to reality TV. If they're really lucky, they'll also get an addiction to Radio 4.

Europe and UK safe
You may pick up the usual local bugs that are different to your bugs but the stuff is safe.
There are two odd issues in the UK

1) Advertisting by the bottled water industry tried to argue that bottled water was "safer" hence the easily swayed (under 35) have begun believing this idea (I have a UK friend, very bright girl, who completely believes that tap water has fish pee in it while bottled water does not) think "tap water" as if you were hearing Importance's "handbag"
2) London water is very hard, as a result it is hard to make a good cup of tea there without a scum forming on the surface, those who drink it with milk only know the cups are hard to clean, those who drink it black have to push the stuff out of the way. As a result my london family fit all kind of hard water removing stuff in their house.

>>A lifetime's exposure to water kept in such a tank created immunity from whatever unpleasantnesses might have lurked inside - as well as breeding true grit, emotional continence, grace under pressure and a high level of scepticism in those brought up on it.<<

I should have known it wasn't my unique charm.

Water is perfectly safe - unless you have a supersensitive digestive tract that reacts to any water other than you get at home.

That said - I think much of the water has a specific taste (NYC water has no taste - at least to me - it's VERY soft) so we always use bottled water - esp since I prefer fizzy. Also bottled water is likely to be chilled and tap water won't - and ice isn't common.

Hey flann,

>By definition ....

Thanks for the very informative post.

I now understand much of what has happened in the UK since Churchill left office.

Ira:

I appreciate your comments. But it's a gross simplification.

My forthcoming monograph "Chilblains: how warmer bedrooms destroyed a nation's moral fibre" will provide the essential nuancing. To be followed by "The White Sliced Bread and Margarine Diet", and "The Case for Smog: why clean air makes for unhealthy bodies"

I can contribute to the series, with "Are You Still In There? The role of the backyard privy in the development of reading"

You must include the chapter on "How the Daily Mirror's superiority over the Daily Express as toilet paper forced the Tory party to embrace the Welfare State and turned the NHS into the national religion"

My youthful embrace of socialism is almost entirely the result of Grandad refusing to allow any reading matter (or toilet paper) other than the Mirror in our outside (well, only) lavatory. Right-wing papers, he insisted, were just too hard.

Tap water is safe in France and Italy in any town or city of reasonable size.

Tap water in villages may occasionally not be up to the highest standards of hygiene. This is true around the world, not just in France or Italy. Small villages have a greater variation in their local water quality and don't always have fancy equipment to keep it perfectly clean. It's typically quite drinkable but might contain a local blend of microflora or minerals that can upset the tummy of a newcomer. Note that there are many natural sources of water that can be quite drinkable without any treatment at all, such as certain natural springs and clean wells.

Large cities have elaborate water-treatment systems that ensure that the water supply is clean and drinkable. The consequences of a contaminated water supply in a big city are very grave, so the water supply is usually treated and monitored closely. This is true even in France and Italy, which are far less primitive than Americans seem to believe them to be (Americans are at least 70-80 years behind the times in their beliefs about the state of the rest of the world).

In Paris, about 60% of the water supply comes from underground aquifers, and the remainder comes from the Seine or Marne Rivers. The well water is so clean that it requires little or no treatment. The river water is treated and purified before being placed into the water supply. In addition to the usual tests for basic safety, Paris is exceptional in that it has a team of water tasters who check the taste and smell of tap water to make sure it is acceptable. (Tap water can be drinkable but still have a disagreeable taste or smell, and that's what these testers check for.)

There's even a public water dispenser in a park in Paris that will dispense cold, fizzy tap water for free, for people who prefer sparkling water.

Very safe, however, if you are drinking in an outdoor facility, it might be a kindness to the wait staff to take bottled water so they don't have to schlep back inside.

Yes.

Very informative thread. I am saving the line about emotional continence, as I believe it may come handy around here some day.

The only places I wouldn't drink the tap water is in the summer on small islands in any country. I know for a fact that in the summer much of the water on islands like Ischia and Capri is brought in by tanker because the islands become so populated by tourists they don't want to deplete their natural supply . Our family does not allow us to drink the water then. It may be safe but it does taste horrible. Other than summer it's fine. Mainland is always fine. In Rome and most of Italy the tap water comes from the mountains probably where they also bottle it. So you're paying to drink water that's free from the tap. We bring re-usable water bottles and fill them up in the hotels.

It's OK Italy and France aren't 3rd world countries....

Have never had a problem with tap water in either country!

Hello Hilmel, as I have posted before the only time I had a problem with the water in Italy was when I was staying in the Dolomiti with some Italian friends. The tap water was so good and I drank lots of it. I also was getting out of bed every 30 minutes all night long, I thought I had a bladder infection. A few weeks later I again was staying in another village in the Dolomiti with another friend and she saw me drinking the tap water and said "STOP!". The reason was that the water as wonderful as it was causes a shall we say an overactive bladder due to something, minerals or whatever for those not use to the mountain water. Other than that I have always drank tap water in Italy without any problem and I have a sensitive stomach. I doubt you will be in the Dolomiti. Italians do tend to order bottle water when eating out however, it is the custom so to speak. Enjoy your time in Italy and I am sure that you will.

as an aside, when we replumbed our bathroom we had the cold tap fed from the mains so that we can clean our teeth without fear.

however our "mains' is in fact a well from which our water is pumped, so we were probably wasting our time. such is life in the UK.

thank you so much everybody for your wonderful advice. i really appreciate it. cant wait to get over there and start holidaying

It is safe to drink tap water from bathrooms in england this is becouse the pipes that go into the bathroom are connected to the same ones in the kitchen hence when you turn the tap on in the kitchen while a tap is turned on the the bathroom you loose some water pressure. Any tap water that runs in your house has to be safe to to strict code in england. I know this becouse I'm in the building trade. It is only unsafe to drink if there is a warning sign saying it so. This is becouse the water with the warning sign usually comes from a tank that refills as you use it. An that water is usually in wash rooms in some buildings in englad and other places. On a side note don't just liten to everyone you hear cos they may not know the actual facts please in future ask proffesionals becouse people who don't have any clue about the question you ask and therethore give you bad information or just paling wrong iformation. Tap water in kitchens and bathrooms are safe to drink unless there is a warning sign saying its unsafe to drink. This is due to legal reasons.

How nice of you to resurrect a post a year and a half later, long after the OP died from drinking our poisoned water.

In the UK our drinking water is of the highest standard, at a record level of quality and among the best in the world. We can turn on our taps with the certainty of a safe, clean and refreshing supply.
UK water suppliers place the highest priority on assuring the quality of water provided to their customers. Strict standards for the quality of the public supply are laid down in national regulations derived from the EU Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC). These standards are based on advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) and are regularly reviewed.
Latest figures for drinking water quality compliance with the strict UK and European standards are:
England and Wales 99.96%
Scotland 99.84%
Northern Ireland 99.83%
Water quality is closely checked and regulated by independent drinking water inspectorates in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. An that includes in bathrooms.

Tap water is usually "perfectly safe" but you have to remember that jurisdictions all determine the levels of potential pathogens they'll allow in drinking water and that varies.

It is not unusual for people to get a case of the runs because they are drinking "different" water than what they are used to. It usually isn't some sort of serious medical emergency.

It doesn't even have to be pathogens. People who are used to drinking soft water (with very few minerals) may experience gastric problems if they drink perfectly safe water that is just hard (with a high mineral content).

IMHO I have used tap water all over europe (except St Pet, where it was advised only to drink bottled water you opened yourself) and had no problem. But I always DRINK bottled water - since water in most places doesn't measure up to NYC water in taste.

It's safe, but why would you do it with the wines that are available?

The tap water is fine to drink in France, just remember to pack some soap as it isn't readily available outside the tourist areas.

<< just remember to pack some soap as it isn't readily available outside the tourist areas.>>

It isn't? I don't think I've ever been anywhere in France or Italy, even remote areas, where soap was even slightly difficult to find.

Ha ha soap hard to find in France, are you serious.. that is too funny. Guess thats why they all smell right ? ( sarcasm). I suppose there are some cheap hotels that don't give you the little bar, but whatever.. I have always found soap in any place I have stayed at, inside or outside Paris.

I have also always drunk the tap water in Paris and rest of France, never occurred to me not to and I alway ask for tap water at restaurant as I see no need to pay for water when its free and given freely if you have orderd food or drink.

Dickie-Gr I think the old joke goes that that is why the French have such a great perfume industry. boom-boom

Old English proverb :

Prevention is better than the cure

We don't need prizes, thank you anyway.

We don't need prizes, thank you anyway.>>

you speak for yourself, kerouac - i'm not too proud to accept a prize or two!

and i just did the survey!

i'll report back if and when i get a prize.

I object!

How are americans supposed to answer.

Many of the posters here are. And I've been to most of these countries and have just as much a right to an opinion as anyone else.

Caveat: as a New Yorker I probably have a better perspective than most- since we have excellent tap water - often voted best in taste tests.

Watersurvey, the EU and all their rules cannot even keep horse meat out of beef and yet they want to know about water taste. No wonder so much idiot money is being spent in Brussels. It is time they go their ?':;@*&&7& (sorry lost the will to live)

Americans aren't supposed to answer. It is a European survey, and needs information only people living in Europe can give, such as how much your water actually costs.
I drink water from an ice age aquifer, filtered through sand dunes for thousands of years. It gets bottled and sold to the gullible who pay per litre twenty times what I pay per month for my water.

I'll fight you for the iPad Annhig .

Are there fountains in any of the parks in Paris, and if so, is it safe to drink from them, if having a picnic?

Also, what is the deal with sitting on the grass in the parks? I read somewhere that everyone sits on the grass, then somewhere else it says, "Do not sit on the grass in Luxembourg gardens.

I'm not sure what you mean by fountains but if you are talking about the decorative kind of fountains with lots of statues that spray water you don't drink from those but there are utilitarian fountains that are meant for drinking. If you're confused (you really shouldn't be) then the default rule is it's drinkable unless there is a sign saying "Eau non potable". Most parks will have one or more fountains for drinking.

If it is forbidden to sit on the grass there will be a sign that says "Pelouse Interdite", which means stay off the grass. You may not notice the sign but the general rule would be if the grass looks very well manicured and no one is sitting on it then you shouldn't either.

You're not allowed to sit or walk on the grass in the Luxembourg Gardens. I think the only exception is the children's playground. Is there something wrong with sitting on chairs?

At my age, I would prefer to sit on a park bench if available. It's just that having a picnic lunch in the park is highly recommended and I just can't imagine there being enough benches to go around. I also remember seeing pictures of lots of people having picnics on the grass, hence my confusion.

You must have seen photos of the Champs de Mars with people lying all over the grass. Or perhaps some other place where walking on the grass is ok but not in the Luxembourg Gardens. The police will chase you off the grass and everyone will look at you weirdly.

<< having a picnic lunch in the park is highly recommended >>

By whom????? How uncomfortable! Who wants grass stains on their clothes and ants in their food. You must be reading Rick Steves or getting an overdose of Manet.

<< I just can't imagine there being enough benches to go around >>

Paris is full of park benches along the streets. Paris is full of small squares with benches. Paris is full of gardens with CHAIRS!! Unless it's a warm, sunny, weekend afternoon there will be plenty of places to sit.

There are also cafes with tables and chairs.

Thank you Adrienne. Park benches it is then.

Oh I just had to come back to this thread, knowing that it would become increasingly funny.

Hi flan,

>flanneruk on Jun 9, 11 at 3:39am

Thank you for a concise and scholarly discussion of the drinking water supply in England.

May I assume that the same holds true for Scotland?


>explaining the unEnglish outbreak of mass hysteria and absurd sentiment at the death of Princess Di. Also explaining men's cosmetics and flavoured coffee.<

I have oft times lain awake at night wondering about that.

ira - you're in for a treat with the water in Scotland. It's yellow and rather alarming at first. But since it had no flavor I assumed it really was water and not some other substance!

it was nice to be in Rome recently and to be able to fill up our water bottles from public water fountains in the city. I had to laugh when some french family tutted as I was doing so and told their son never to do what I was doing as it was dangerous.

on the subject of bottled water, anyone else remember the episode of Fools and horses where they were bottling Peckham tap water and trying to sell it?

That reminds me of when Coca-Cola had the intention of selling Dasani in France and then they were exposed as just selling tap water in a bottle. As it turned out, Dasani never made it to France...

They, Coca-Cola, not only used tap water but they managed to pollute it as well.

sitting on the grass is allowed in the panhandle of the jardin du Luxembourg.

. . . but DON'T attempt to carry one of those metal chairs in the Jardin du Luxembourg across so you can sit by the lake; police whistles from all directions guaranteed! Di

I love the water fountains in Italy, they provide cold, fresh tasting water.

Di2315 how do you know this? We need details please!

Safer perhaps than the bottled water -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/25/french-bottled-waters-contaminated-brands

Guilty as charged, cathies!

There were no signs, and I had decided that if I took the chair closer to the edge of the lake I could better enjoy the scenery. Needless to say I didn't even get a chance to sit down, before the whistles sounded, and police came running.

At first I thought some grand crime must have been in progress, then realised I was the guilty party they were all heading for. I really couldn't understand what they were saying, but their actions made the meaning clear.

Moral of the story: look to see what the locals are doing before taking action! Di

Funny story Di, i can imagine your embarrassment.

One one trip we spent time in Greece where we were able to explore the Ancient Greek ruins at our leisure. A few weeks later we were in Paris at the louvre and exploring the Egyptian section. Without thinking my husband struck a pose for a photo by resting his arm on an exhibit, the poor guards lost the plot completely. My husband was very upset, he meant absolutely no disrespect, he just wasn't thinking.

Cathies - oh dear, I can relate! At the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona there is a collection of church frescoes hung to replicate the original layout of the church. This includes some that are set back into little alcoves, what presumably would have been a little chapel or doorway or something. I was so busy looking up at the ceiling and listening to my audio guide that I didn't realise you weren't meant to go *into* the alcoves until a nasty woman appeared and really screamed at me until I burst into tears! Really spoiled the visit, as you can imagine!

A good sip of local tap water is the best remedy to any such trauma.