Did you drink water in Rome?
Mar 13th, 2001, 02:16 AM
#3
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Definitely buy bottled water anywhere you go in Europe! I would advise against drinking any water that hasn't come directly from a sealed bottle...even at restaurants. If you don't see the bottle get opened, don't drink it. I've lived in Europe over two years now and I live by this rule.
Mar 13th, 2001, 04:22 AM
#6
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I would certainly not hesitate to drink tap water in Rome (or in any major western European city). If not drinkable it will be labeled to that effect (acqua non potabile), e.g., in public toilets. Drinking too much bottled water too soon can give you the runs if you're not accustomed to the high mineral content, especially magnesium, which has a laxative effect. However, I think Karen is also correct. Different tap water has unfamiliar bacteria, but that doesn't mean that it is worse than the water we are used to at home. For that reason, and because the bottled mineral water is also a big change from the low-mineral content American spring water, it's probably safest to get used to both gradually, drinking BOTH tap and bottled water, and not drinking the same variety of bottled water the first few days. (P.S. The one time in recent years that I started out drinking bottled water only, I got briefly "sick" though obviously not infection-type sick and figured out it was from the magnesium, the same stuff that's in Milk of Magnesia laxative.)
Mar 13th, 2001, 08:22 AM
#7
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Five months in Europe last summer and we drank the tap water everywhere (except our hotel in Istanbul, where they were very apologetic that due to the construction of new sewer and water lines, we temporarily shouldn't drink the tap water). In Paris we always order Carafe d'eau (spelled wrong I'm sure, but I do know how to pronounce it) which is chilled tap water in restaurants. Except in very fancy restaurants it seems to be what all the locals drink (if they drink water at all). Even in Greece and Poland we drank tap water and never had any ill effects. But if one has a very sensitive stomach he or she might have a problem from whatever chemicals or minerals that might be present.
Mar 13th, 2001, 08:24 AM
#8
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Ooops, I forgot my tip. We always get local yoghurt when we arrive in a new city or country. It contains the "helpful" bacteria that may be present in other foods or water. We were told that it will help set up a sort of instant immunity to the local bacteria. Maybe that helped, but as I said we never got sick.
Mar 13th, 2001, 09:52 AM
#9
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Excellent answers already. I can only say that I lived in Rome with 100 other American students and no one ever got sick from the water. Its at least as good as the tap water you have at home. Do you drink bottled water at home? After all, the Romans invented the water system (aquaducts and all). Italian travelers in Rome would invariably drink bottled water or more commonly aranciata (orange soda)or limone. We used to laugh at this and think them so silly. All of this said, it is true, as stated so well above, every water system has its unique bacteria. You can get "sick" from any water your body is not used to. This includes traveling within the US or anywhere in your own counry and includes drinking a different bottled water from what you're used to. The worst that will happen is that you will get diarrhea. Bring something(Kaopectate etc.) for this possibility. Otherwise don't give it another thought and have a nice trip.
Mar 13th, 2001, 11:18 AM
#11
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Celia,
In Rome I drink the tap water in my hotel, the water from the street fountains, bottled water with a sit-down meal, and tap water with a coffee or hot chocolate if I want some. No problems here. Even tender-tummy husband didn't have any problems.
In Rome I drink the tap water in my hotel, the water from the street fountains, bottled water with a sit-down meal, and tap water with a coffee or hot chocolate if I want some. No problems here. Even tender-tummy husband didn't have any problems.
