Maybe he/she drank the water.

When I first laid eyes on Darwin in the 1960s, as a matter of principle no self-respecting Territorian would drink water. This had nothing whatever to do with personal safety, which was a secondary consideration entirely; it was merely insurance against the awful possibility that one day, one might inadvertently wake up sober. It was not a town best viewed through clear eyes. This could, and in the Wet often did, trigger suicide.

These days, I'm told Darwin is much more "respectable", many of its citizens staying sober until well past sunset.

I was traveling around australia last month, including Darwin, and drank tab water everywher with no problem.
I found price of bottled water in Australia very expensive and quality very low. In must places they will only have one brand and priced two to three times more than in Europe.
I am talking about, supermarkets or grocery stores.

"I found price of bottled water in Australia very expensive ... priced two to three times more than in Europe."

- And a very good thing too, as it should discourage consumption of the stupid stuff. I'd go further and tax it at the same rate as beer.

car - I don't know where it was you went and which supermarkets you visited - but have to say I find the exact opposite of what you report. I can't believe how MANY brands of bottled water there are. Or maybe you are talking premium stuff in glass bottles à la Perrier?

I'm with Neil on this. And if they won't tax it, then at least add a 5c returnable deposit to every 600ml bottle as they do in SA.

And I hear there are even "water lists" now, akin to wine lists, in some restaurants.

Go tap!

I've survived living on Adelaide tap water for 35 years. It does seem to have a long standing bad reputation for taste and being a "hard" water, but it's still quite drinkable. If Adelaide water is one of the worst in the country then Darwin tap water should be fine to drink.

SA has long had a deposit scheme on drink containers which helps keep down the amount of bottles and cans returned to landfill.

"...it's still quite drinkable..."

speckles, I think you've been there too long.