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)