Cimbrone

It's definitely a problem. I think most of us (myself included) in rich countries who drink bottled water do so for convenience, not safety. Here in Florida, the water is so chlorinated and dark with all manner of contaminants, I won't drink from taps except at home, where I have a water purifying pitcher. But when I'm on the go, having a bottle with me to sip from is just so convenient. Filling thermoses of water from home would be the answer, but I guess I'm too lazy. Definitely something to think about.

bilboburgler

I live in yorkshire and if my drinking water was full of contaminants one of my neighbours would have deliverd animal waste to the company's front desk by large pumping machine. How come florida suffers so few riots?

Cimbrone

At the risk of making this thread even more contentious, you have to remember that an entire presidential election was stolen in Florida, and no one rioted. So water quality isn't going to get anyone too worked up. Everyone I know has purifiers on their faucets or uses the purifying pitchers. Or buys their water.

Robespierre

We start drinking an internationally-available brand (<i>e.g.</i>, Evian) before we leave home, and restock at grocery stores along the way.

We don't <u>know</u> that anyone in the family is susceptible to mineral-balance stomach upset, but buying a few liters of water seems cheap insurance against a ruined vacation.

altamiro

&gt;How come florida suffers so few riots?

Because pensioners have too little time to riot?

nbodyhome

I live in Florida, and have no problem drinking the water here (most of the time - there are water fountains in some areas that taste very strong).

Robespierre

Do I dare to eat a peach?

elina

&gt;&gt;&gt;Terrorists often add contaminants into the drinking supplies of hotels that cater to Americans. It is likely that your hotel may be targeted, so drinking the water there is unadvised.
&lt;&lt;&lt;

Yes, yes. Lets count the multiple times that has happened.

Padraig

Almost 50 posts, and nobody has said anything about plumbing.

Water from the mains is safe in most places in Europe. Water that has been held in roof tanks might not be. Most water supplied to bathroom taps has been stored in roof tanks, and I would not advise you to drink it.

kerouac

Those of you who need to drink bottled water, please remember to bring it from home. The local bottled water is just too risky.

Meanwhile, I have always wondered

1. how much bottled Evian is sold in the city of Evian?
2. how much bottled other brands (Vittel, Volvic, Contrex, etc.) are sold in the city of Evian?
3. what comes out of the taps of the city of Evian?

Of course, this questions works for other cities and countries as well.

elina

A couple of years ago there was an article about blind water tasting in Finland. All the &quot;big&quot; brands like Evian were present, altogether something like ten samples and ten tasters. Helsinki´s tap water won.

kerouac

Just as Paris tap water always wins in France. Paris (and Saint Petersburg, Russia) both use an ozone purification system that goes lightyears beyond the concept of chlorine or other products.

For those worried about the concept of &quot;infection&quot; -- Paris tap water has a lower bacteria count than any of the bottled waters sold at a premium.

But I will reveal that many and perhaps a majority of Parisians continue to buy bottled water. Weird and irrational, but good for everybody's psychological well being.

Christina

I don't know about that, it's good for the water companies revenues, though. I like Evian myself, always drink it or Vittel when I'm in France (when I do buy bottled water, which is usually to carry around or keep in my hotel room, not at restaurants).

I do think a lot of people in the US drink bottled water for convenience reasons, as noted (because they are too lazy to fill some bottles at home or something, or buy it when they are out and about). But I think a lot of people do it for taste reasons, not safety or convenience. A lot of people think their tap water tastes funny due to the chemicals, and that can vary a lot depending on where you live. I've always drunk tap water, but when I lived in Los Angeles, most of my friends had bottled water delivered to their homes to drink because they thought the tap water tasted bad (it was a big business, they had like water coolers in their own kitchens).

Nikki

Overheard in the water aisle at the supermarket: &quot;It's all just Joe's hose.&quot;

hanl

&quot;But I will reveal that many and perhaps a majority of Parisians continue to buy bottled water. Weird and irrational, but good for everybody's psychological well being.&quot;

... and physical wellbeing, as anyone who's had to lug a six pack of Vittel all the way home from their local Franprix (and up three flights of stairs to their apartment) will know!

(Not me, I hasten to add, but a flatmate of mine in Paris who used to struggle home every week loaded with heavy bottles of water as she refused to drink the free stuff!) She is *very* fit.

logos999

People that don't drink tap water nevertheless drink lots of tea and coffee and don't worry at all about this. It's not worth discussing... I drink my fresh, mountain, high in minerals, local tap water and even use it for having a bath.

Robespierre

When I don't drink the local water, it's because the local brew is so good.

mpprh

Hmm

Only UK uses water tanks in the attic (complete with dead birds, etc.) Other countries have direct pressure feed.

But just to reassure Lisa Lisa - Most countries have recently got electricity !

Peter

travelphile

Eyewitness Top Top Barcelona, 2005...

Page 136 &quot;Spain's tapwater is perfectly safe to drink. Most visitors, however, generally prefer to drink bottled water.&quot;

I'd guess it would say the same for most west European cities... I'm convinced to drink free on this trip. (13 days!)

Lisa_Lisa

Thank you all for your input. I became dehydrated and subsequently had the sinus infection of my life on my last trip because I didn't take frequent sips from every fountain I pass like I do at home. I too dislike the bottled water process what with aquifers that are being drained, the horrific waste of the bottles and the space used at the landfills. I will drink tap water &amp; be happy.

By the way, I'm a newbie and have been trying to find my way back to this thread for days. Even searching for the &quot;water&quot; didn't get me back. What was I doing wrong???

Lisa_Lisa