and sorry, a correction... it wouldN'T bother me if someone asked about places I've lived. Not that that need dictate how others manage their perceived slights.

Clifton - I looked up that nifty link you gave and have learned that in Ireland the water is potable but foreigners must pay for water consumption. How is that monitored? Does the B&B landlady monitor the shower duration and charge X Euros per minute on top of the quoted B&B rate? If I want ice in my whiskey (horrors!) do I pay by the cube?

In the US, the site advocates drinking straight from the faucet. I actually prefer my water in a glass or bottle but I guess some folks like to soak their heads!

adrienne. I'm thinking they're probably referring to expats. And that they probably just meter the houses and don't send bills to the citizens.

But if you wanted to leave a little something on the table, per cube, it's always appreciated. About 3% if you're from the continent, 20% if you're from across the pond, give or take. If you're British, I'm pretty sure they owe you something.

Growing up in the US, I preferred my water in a bottle but kept it in a brown paper bag so that no one caught on.

<< I just don't know that people don't sometimes put things differently than they intend.>>

<< usual veiled condensation >>

Guess we're even now Clifton

Yay! You've taken the focus off Italian water for awhile.

kwren. speak for yourself. I've been uneven for <i>years</i>

Strange she's not been back, eh?

Clifton - really nice photos!!

adrienne - thanks. And lol because I forgot I put the link on my profile and have been wondering until just now what photos you meant.


.

>>foreigners must pay for water consumption. How is that monitored? Does the B&B landlady monitor the shower duration and charge X Euros per minute on top of the quoted B&B rate? If I want ice in my whiskey (horrors!) do I pay by the cube?<<

And is there a discount when you recycle it?

I must say, I'm still wondering about the "george pimpido" centre.

<< I must say, I'm still wondering about the "george pimpido" centre. >>

It's only called the pimpido after dark - LOL

For the UK
The public’s supply of water is typically safe and of good quality. Even access to clean water is not a problem. The people can practically have sanitary water all throughout the country.

Right, so in Ireland visitors have to pay and in the UK they have a choice of dirty or clean water

Not sure there's a choice involved, but the Beeb archives are full of news of past boil orders around the UK (as there would be anywhere). No harm in the site mentioning that nothing's 100%

Ireland - Just came back from a week and we drank tap water in Dublin, Galway, Killarny, Cork etc... Still alive enough to type this! But we did drink a lot of beer - maybe that balanced it.

What a bunch of haughty, presumptuous, hateful nonsense. The ignorance seems to rest less on the OP than on many of the responders. Was the OP's question a little naive? Absolutely. But so what? Was it anywhere near deserving of the belittlement that followed? Absolutely not. We all have to start somewhere. Many Americans don't travel overseas. For one it's expensive. Two, there is so much to see within the US that many don't feel the need. It's logistically challenging. For those who decide to travel overseas, the first time can be very daunting. We always hear horror stories about people traveling to Mexico and drinking the water and ending up with all manner of illnesses. We don't hear about the millions of people who travel to Europe and drink the water with no problems. So I don't see what's so wrong with asking a question to be sure. I certainly don't think it should be taken as an indictment of Ireland or Scotland.

People, don't get your undies in a bunch about the question that lady asked. I have live in Georgia, New York, Virginia and I have always filtered my drinking water through my refrigerator. I NEVER drink it straight from the TAP. Most Americans, I know, do this because our refrigerators come with automatic water filers. THIS is the ONLY reason why the question was asked. IT was not to insult the UK or Scotland! If you have always had filtered water, is it safe to drink unfiltered water, anywhere? Maybe someone, who isn't so easily insulted, can answer the question since my son will be studying in Scotland for the next 2 years.

Jam, the question was asked five years ago. A spammer resurrected it to post an ad, which has been removed.

jam, don't worry, in the Uk and Ireland the water is provided without things to filter out. It is very safe and there are no plastic contaminants as from bottled water, plastic filters etc.

jamtravel1: >>People, don't get your undies in a bunch . . . Maybe someone, who isn't so easily insulted, can answer the question<<

Welcome to Fodors. Sometimes it is best to ask w/o insulting those who might be able to help you. All the info you need is in the thread. Answers haven't changed in the intervening years.

Yes -- the water is safe - but your son will more likely be drinking beer

I want to see where every fridge in the US had filtered water built into it.

It would be a big help for all of those people in Flint.

jamtravel - you are definitely in the minority. Most people in the US drink tap water - except on the go - and would never think to ask such a question about the UK.