Do I dare to drink the water or not?
May 31st, 2007, 05:10 PM
#21
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nytraveler--unless I'm mistaken, those ornamental fountains of Rome are meant to be drunk from and are known for their delicious water.
RM67--I seriously doubt that glass is any more environmentally friendly than plastic. In fact, recycling glass takes as much energy as manufacturing it new.
RM67--I seriously doubt that glass is any more environmentally friendly than plastic. In fact, recycling glass takes as much energy as manufacturing it new.
May 31st, 2007, 05:59 PM
#22
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I usually buy a bottle of water to take on the plane and then just keep using the bottle and fill it from the tap in my hotel room and take it in my purse to have during the day. I always order a carafe of tap water in the cafes. You should have no problem with the water any of the places you are going.
May 31st, 2007, 06:22 PM
#23
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This has been humorous... Thankfully the Fodorites have taught me one more thing!
I too had the idea about one's digestive system being upset by new H2O... I'm not afraid to brush my teeth in EU with tapwater, but still hadn't 'drank' it on 3 previous trips.
My 1st trip to Europe was to Spain 15 yrs ago with my high school...THEN we were told not to even brush our teeth with tapwater. Perhaps old habits just die hard?
I too had the idea about one's digestive system being upset by new H2O... I'm not afraid to brush my teeth in EU with tapwater, but still hadn't 'drank' it on 3 previous trips.
My 1st trip to Europe was to Spain 15 yrs ago with my high school...THEN we were told not to even brush our teeth with tapwater. Perhaps old habits just die hard?
May 31st, 2007, 07:10 PM
#24
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"I seriously doubt that glass is any more environmentally friendly than plastic."
It is if the bottles are washed and reused. The amount of energy required to re-use a bottle (including transportation back to the filling station and cleaning it) represents about a teaspoon of petroleum. Manufacturing a new bottle requires a few tablespoons, whether made from sand or old glass.
But making an aluminum can uses the energy equivalent of a half-full can of crude oil.
It is if the bottles are washed and reused. The amount of energy required to re-use a bottle (including transportation back to the filling station and cleaning it) represents about a teaspoon of petroleum. Manufacturing a new bottle requires a few tablespoons, whether made from sand or old glass.
But making an aluminum can uses the energy equivalent of a half-full can of crude oil.
Jun 1st, 2007, 01:12 AM
#26
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Bonjour Suze,
I always drink tap water when I travel ... USA, Japan, despite the water being different from France.
Could it be that Europeans intestinal system is more resistant than Americans ? ;-)
I always drink tap water when I travel ... USA, Japan, despite the water being different from France.
Could it be that Europeans intestinal system is more resistant than Americans ? ;-)
Jun 1st, 2007, 01:38 AM
#27
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A globe-trotting flight attendant I was chatting with once told me that, in general, he brushes his teeth with tap water almost wherever he travels (unless there are brown bits in the water or it's a funny colour). It's his way of getting his gut adjusted to different places. I'm not as brave as he is, but I drink the tap water everywhere I've gone in Europe, except Turkey (which does have some water sanitation problems).
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:20 AM
#28
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I always drink tap water, except in Russia. It builds the immune system.
Look at those people in South America in the jungle. They bathe, pee, and drink the water. Yes, build that immune system. Don't be a wimp.
Look at those people in South America in the jungle. They bathe, pee, and drink the water. Yes, build that immune system. Don't be a wimp.
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:25 AM
#29
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Cimbrone, to answer your question, yes there are differing levels of coliform bacteria in water sources and yes, sometimes those level differences can affect one's gastrointestinal tract.
But that can happen anywhere to include within the United States when one travels.
I think the OP's use of the term "dare" pretty much sums up the (non IMO) thinking process and whether or not one thinks it is a "silly question" is anyone's subjective guess I suppose.
But that can happen anywhere to include within the United States when one travels.
I think the OP's use of the term "dare" pretty much sums up the (non IMO) thinking process and whether or not one thinks it is a "silly question" is anyone's subjective guess I suppose.
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:28 AM
#30
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I might be a little rusty on my bacteriology/microbiology, but some facts still apply:
The bacteria in question is usually E. Coli, which is present in the intestines of both animals and humans. Therefore, if someone in the kitchen doesn't wash their hands properly after using the toilet, it can get into the food/beverages served in even the supposedly most civilized countries. So, water supply in the kitchen per se doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it. Proper handling and cooking of the food, on the other hand, might.
Meat, for example, can become contaminated during the butchering of the animal and subsequent handling of cuts. If the meat is ground, it is particularly susceptible since this can both spread the surface contamination and increase the effective surface area to be contaminated. Translation: don't eat undercooked hamburger, and you'd best have confidence in whosoever serves you steak tartare - the meat should be really fresh and have been handled properly.
Water treatment is as infallible as the people running the plants (not to mention the governments that in turn oversee them). Google "Walkerton Ontario" for what happened when a local treatment facility in a civilized country (or so I like to think) goofed up badly, combined with the most unfortunate presence of a particularly nasty strain of E. Coli. That said, the incidence of goof-ups in developed countries is mercifully low - if it were not, you would certainly be hearing about it in the news. Also, not all strains of E. Coli are harmful to humans, although some people as Cimbrone suggested might be sensitive to an otherwise harmless but new-to-them strain.
BTW, those who make sweeping statements about tap water quality probably aren't plumbers or building inspectors, although that is a whole 'nother issue involving mainly metal, as opposed to bacterial, contamination.
The bacteria in question is usually E. Coli, which is present in the intestines of both animals and humans. Therefore, if someone in the kitchen doesn't wash their hands properly after using the toilet, it can get into the food/beverages served in even the supposedly most civilized countries. So, water supply in the kitchen per se doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it. Proper handling and cooking of the food, on the other hand, might.
Meat, for example, can become contaminated during the butchering of the animal and subsequent handling of cuts. If the meat is ground, it is particularly susceptible since this can both spread the surface contamination and increase the effective surface area to be contaminated. Translation: don't eat undercooked hamburger, and you'd best have confidence in whosoever serves you steak tartare - the meat should be really fresh and have been handled properly.
Water treatment is as infallible as the people running the plants (not to mention the governments that in turn oversee them). Google "Walkerton Ontario" for what happened when a local treatment facility in a civilized country (or so I like to think) goofed up badly, combined with the most unfortunate presence of a particularly nasty strain of E. Coli. That said, the incidence of goof-ups in developed countries is mercifully low - if it were not, you would certainly be hearing about it in the news. Also, not all strains of E. Coli are harmful to humans, although some people as Cimbrone suggested might be sensitive to an otherwise harmless but new-to-them strain.
BTW, those who make sweeping statements about tap water quality probably aren't plumbers or building inspectors, although that is a whole 'nother issue involving mainly metal, as opposed to bacterial, contamination.
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:34 AM
#31
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Hi
I have had lots of water from the tap in Paris and Rome and I haven't had any problems. In Rome there are lots of drinking fountains around town and it is great to use this when sightseeing on a warm summer day
Here is my Paris trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm by the way...and the Rome trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Hope this can be of some help.
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
I have had lots of water from the tap in Paris and Rome and I haven't had any problems. In Rome there are lots of drinking fountains around town and it is great to use this when sightseeing on a warm summer day
Here is my Paris trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm by the way...and the Rome trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Hope this can be of some help.Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:40 AM
#32
I believe the fountains in Rome which people use for drinking are not the big ornamental fountains but smaller ones with spouts easily identifiable for the purpose. The young Roman woman who guided my walking tour filled her bottle from such places repeatedly.
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:53 AM
#34
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Wally said, "Look at those people in South America in the jungle. They bathe, pee, and drink the water. Yes, build that immune system. Don't be a wimp."
OK wally, I'll save the water I bathe and pee in, then I'll drink it in order to build my immune system. Great idea.
OK wally, I'll save the water I bathe and pee in, then I'll drink it in order to build my immune system. Great idea.
Jun 1st, 2007, 04:21 AM
#37
"Sue_xx_yy : The bacteria in question is usually E. Coli, which is present in the intestines of both animals and humans."
At the risk of heading off at a tangent, this is only partially correct. The presence of disease causing E.coli (In the Ontario case Enterohaemorrhagic E.coli) in water samples is quite rare.
The presence of a variety of bacteria normally present in the gut (faecal coliforms) is used as an indicator of the cleanliness of the water and the effectiveness of chlorination. It is a lot easier to look for faecal coliforms than to look for the specific pathogens which may be present in contaminated water - Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholera etc.
The standards of water purification in Western Europe tend to be very high. The problem of upset stomachs resulting from "new bacteria" is usually because of minor contamination that occurs in the pipes running from the water treatment plants into the houses/hotels/restaurants. As most bottled waters in Europe are certified "microbiologically pure", then these offer a safe option.
At the risk of heading off at a tangent, this is only partially correct. The presence of disease causing E.coli (In the Ontario case Enterohaemorrhagic E.coli) in water samples is quite rare.
The presence of a variety of bacteria normally present in the gut (faecal coliforms) is used as an indicator of the cleanliness of the water and the effectiveness of chlorination. It is a lot easier to look for faecal coliforms than to look for the specific pathogens which may be present in contaminated water - Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholera etc.
The standards of water purification in Western Europe tend to be very high. The problem of upset stomachs resulting from "new bacteria" is usually because of minor contamination that occurs in the pipes running from the water treatment plants into the houses/hotels/restaurants. As most bottled waters in Europe are certified "microbiologically pure", then these offer a safe option.
Jun 1st, 2007, 05:13 AM
#39
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I think it depends on how sensitive you stomach is. I have trouble when changing water from city to city in Canada. Many things can cause stomach upset when you change water, diet or intake in extremes in Alcohol.
You will find that most people order bottled water with their meals in Italy. You can ask for tap water but it is not as common. They won't bring it unless you ask for it.
We drank the water from public fountains in Rome and in the town of Amalfi and it didn't bother my stomach. Apparently Rome has some of the best drinking water in Italy.
This past trip to Dordogne France it seems that a carafe of water was brought to our table without asking. I'm not sure if it was the water or the rich food (or the gallon of wine per day we drank) but I did get the revenge. I had to take immodium on two occasions to stop it in its tracks.
My stomach was not bothered by any of the above in Italy.
You will find that most people order bottled water with their meals in Italy. You can ask for tap water but it is not as common. They won't bring it unless you ask for it.
We drank the water from public fountains in Rome and in the town of Amalfi and it didn't bother my stomach. Apparently Rome has some of the best drinking water in Italy.
This past trip to Dordogne France it seems that a carafe of water was brought to our table without asking. I'm not sure if it was the water or the rich food (or the gallon of wine per day we drank) but I did get the revenge. I had to take immodium on two occasions to stop it in its tracks.
My stomach was not bothered by any of the above in Italy.
Jun 1st, 2007, 05:53 AM
#40
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Just a word on the environmental crisis looming caused by the relatively new phenomenon of massive consumption of bottled water.
Yes, it is an energy issue to manufacture, fill, transport and "recycle" the bottles, either glass or plastic. But another, perhaps larger issue, is the rape of the water sources that have fed, washed and hydrated populations in developing countries (among others) for centuries that are now unable to meet the needs of locals because that water is being sold out from under then. The subsequent enormous profits are NOT realized by the local villagers, but by companies like Nestle and Coca Cola.
That ultimately non-renewable resource (climate change is causing droughts) is then used to grace the dining tables of those of us in Rome, Detroit and Toronto whose tap water supply is actually abundant and pristine.
Drink from the tap and know you are not only safe, but are doing the right thing for the future of our planet.
Yes, it is an energy issue to manufacture, fill, transport and "recycle" the bottles, either glass or plastic. But another, perhaps larger issue, is the rape of the water sources that have fed, washed and hydrated populations in developing countries (among others) for centuries that are now unable to meet the needs of locals because that water is being sold out from under then. The subsequent enormous profits are NOT realized by the local villagers, but by companies like Nestle and Coca Cola.
That ultimately non-renewable resource (climate change is causing droughts) is then used to grace the dining tables of those of us in Rome, Detroit and Toronto whose tap water supply is actually abundant and pristine.
Drink from the tap and know you are not only safe, but are doing the right thing for the future of our planet.
