Why You Shouldn’t Drink Tap Water Abroad – Technologist

Be Wary of the Drinking Water

In many countries, people are used to simply turning on the nearest tap and filling a glass of water to quench their thirst. However, there are many places where that luxury doesn’t exist. Even in American cities, such as Flint, Michigan, residents have been impacted by a lack of access to clean water; the risk is even higher in rural areas.

Although a decade has passed since the UN General Assembly decreed that humans have the right to safe, affordable, and easy access to water and sanitation, the Joint Monitoring Program found in 2020 that 2 billion people around the world still lack access to safe drinking water in their homes. Luckily, while drinking tap water abroad can pose a threat, there are ways to navigate the issue and stay hydrated in a foreign country.

How Water Becomes Contaminated

Contaminated water is linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. Water can become contaminated in a variety of ways: pesticides, sewage overflows, and wildlife, to name a few. This can occur even after the water has left a treatment facility and is being distributed to people’s homes. In Flint, Michigan, for example, the water crisis was instigated after officials changed water sources and failed to apply corrosion inhibitors to the treated water, which resulted in lead from old pipes seeping into the water supply.

How To Check if the Water’s Safe Where You’re Going

Before drinking tap water abroad, you should always research whether the government where you are located provides safe drinking water. Parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America are known to lack access to safe drinking water. There are always caveats to this. In Japan, tap water is safe to drink, while in eastern Europe, you should be cautious. Even in the United States, researchers have found that multiple states, including Oklahoma, Idaho and Texas, do not always meet the national standards for water safety.

The CDC’s Travel Health page will tell you how safe your location is. Enter your destination and see what advice the organization has for eating and drinking safely in your destination. For example, in France, the CDC says, “Food and water standards in France are similar to those in the United States. Most travelers do not need to take special food or water precautions.” In the Dominican Republic, though, the CDC warns travelers that “Unclean food and water can cause travelers’ diarrhea and other diseases. Reduce your risk by sticking to safe food and water habits.” You can also check data from the World Bank or The 2022 Environmental Performance Index (EPI); both these sites also allow you to search by country. If any of these pages alert people to the dangers of contaminated water, remain vigilant about your water sources.

What To Look For in Tap Water

Use your five senses when considering drinking tap water abroad. Generally, water that is safe to drink ought to be clear and odorless. While cloudy or tinted water doesn’t automatically mean the water is contaminated, it may signal the presence of harmful pathogens. Likewise, if your water smells strange, it could indicate a high amount of certain chemicals that, when consumed in large amounts, can cause issues, such as barium or chlorine. Taste is another way to predict whether the water might be unsafe. But many people might not want to resort to taking a sip if they are unsure about the water.

What To Do With Questionable (Tap) Water

Luckily, while there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t drink tap water abroad, there are some protocols you can follow to make the water safe to drink. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommendations for how you can ensure the water you are drinking is safe to consume.

Boiling

The easiest and most effective method is to bring the water to a rolling boil for at least a minute. This simple approach successfully removes bacteria, viruses and parasites from the water. If you are at an altitude higher than 6,500 feet, boiling time triples to at least three minutes.

Filtration

Purification or filtration combined with disinfection is another effective method. When using a filtration system, such as LifeStraw, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations closely. Read carefully to know which microorganisms the filtration systems are able to remove to make sure it will be effective. Take good care of the filter, and make sure to replace the filter cartridge as specified.

Disinfection

Disinfection chemicals are readily available in liquid, tablet, and powder forms. They usually contain chlorine or iodine to disinfect the water. As with the filtration method, always closely follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for disinfection. Note that water treated with iodine is not recommended for pregnant people or those with thyroid issues. Additionally, this method should not be used for long periods, but it can serve you well for a few weeks.

UV Lights

Lastly, UV lights are an efficient method for cleaning water. However, certain elements and microorganisms can reduce the effectiveness of the lights. Therefore, just like with disinfection, only use this method as a secondary precaution after you have filtered the water.

Staying Hydrated While Abroad

Water makes up 50-70% of the human body and is vital for our survival. While drinking tap water abroad might not be the best idea, there are plenty of other ways to stay hydrated. For many countries, the solution to a lack of reliable access to safe drinking water is simply using bottled water. In Mexico, you can hear the daily cries of a garrafón truck delivering five-gallon jugs of water to the homes of locals. In South Korea, electric water dispensers are readily available for people to use to refill their bottles with safe, fresh water – hot or cold!

Aside from water, beverages such as herbal teas, juices and milk can help you reach your fluid needs. Even the food you eat can assist you! Watermelon, tomatoes and cucumber all have high water contents that help keep you hydrated. However, be careful with caffeinated drinks like soda and coffee. Although they can contribute to your fluid intake, the caffeine, sugar and sodium in them actually dehydrate the body by removing water from your tissues.

Proper hydration also means regulating your body temperature, which can be difficult, especially in the hot and humid tropics. Schedule your physical tourist activities during the cooler hours of the day. Wear light and loose-fitting clothing and don’t forget to pack a hat. Sit and take a water or air-conditioned break before you think you need one.

Unexpected Dangers When Drinking Water Abroad

In order to remain safe from waterborne illnesses, you need to be aware of the other ways contaminated water can sneak into your system. The CDC warns people to be careful with fresh produce, fountain drinks, ordering ice, and even brushing their teeth if they are uncertain about the safety of the water. Make sure that any dishes or utensils that you use have been properly wiped and dried. This will prevent contaminated water from the outside cross contaminating clean sources.

Additionally, there have been a few scandals calling into question the safety of bottled water and other beverages. In 2015, a police investigation uncovered a group of people in Vientiane, Laos, collecting empty plastic bottles, refilling them and selling them as new. The following year, police in Johannesburg uncovered 10 million Rand worth of fake bottled water. Just last year in Thailand, a couple was caught bottling tap water with orange juice concentrate and other ingredients, then selling it as 100% orange juice.

Selecting Safe Water and Avoiding Counterfeits

Generally speaking, unopened, factory-sealed bottles should be safe to drink from. Buy your bottled water from a trusted establishment, such as a 7-11 or another corner store, to make sure they haven’t been tampered with. Pay attention to the dates on the bottle and ensure the bottles are being stored at a cool temperature outside of direct sunlight.

If you are worried about counterfeit bottles, look carefully at the seal to make sure a drop of glue hasn’t been used to mimic the factory seal, and check the bottle for damage. An even safer bet is to grab a carbonated drink as opposed to still water. The bubbles in the beverage should indicate that the bottle was sealed at the factory. Don’t risk an intestinal infection by buying your water from a street vendor just to save ten cents.

What if You Get Sick Anyway?

The most common symptoms of waterborne diseases include diarrhea and vomiting, which greatly dehydrate the body. Follow the steps below to help get your body back on track after consuming unsafe water or food.

Fluids

If you are suffering from traveler’s diarrhea, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Use the tips above to make sure the source of your fluids is safe to consume and won’t make you even more ill. Consider adding electrolyte tablets to safe drinking water. You can also try a sports drink like Gatorade. The sodium and potassium in the products help optimize the absorption of fluids.

Over-the-Counter Medicine

There are several over-the-counter medicines that you can buy to treat symptoms of diarrhea. Drugs such as loperamide or diphenoxylate are common medications that help slow intestinal contractions and reduce the water content of your stools. These are great when taken in combination with electrolytes. Electrolytes help replace lost fluids but don’t necessarily slow down the frequency of bathroom visits.

Antibiotics

Some cases of diarrhea are severe enough that you need to visit a doctor for antibiotics. This is usually necessary when the water you’ve drunk contains intestinal parasites. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, make sure to take them exactly as instructed by your medical provider.

Read Also: How to Access Urgent Care While Traveling

With a comprehensive global health insurance plan or international travel insurance plan, you don’t need to worry about the costs associated with a medical visit in a foreign country in addition to your sickness. If you contact your insurance provider, they can recommend high-quality medical facilities close to you as well as telehealth options. Many insurers will pay the hospitals or clinics directly if you go to one of their preferred locations. You can also refer to our lists of the top hospitals in different countries.

The Bottom Line

Be cautious when drinking tap water abroad. Use the above tips to know if the water is safe to consume, how to treat suspicious tap water, and how to stay hydrated when you’re worried about water quality. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may still manage to become sick from contaminated water. It’s always a great idea to purchase travel health insurance before you set off on your journey. That way, you will have one less thing to worry about if you need medical treatment.

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