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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by nigelinux@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

For context, I live in Hong Kong where most people drink tap water after boiling first. Some may install water filter but may still boil the water. Very few drink bottle water unless they're outside and too lazy to bring their own bottles.

Now, I'm researching whether I can drink tap water in Iceland (I'm going there in August), and while it looks like the answer is affirmative, almost no web article mention whether I need to boil the water first. People in Japan (a country I've visited a few times) also seems to be used to drink tap water directly without boiling.

The further I searched, the more it seems to me that in developed countries (like US, Canada and the above examples), tap water is safe to drink directly. Is that true? Do you drink tap water without boiling?

It sounds like a stupid question but I just can't believe what I saw. I think I experienced a cultural shock.

Edit: wow, thanks so much for the responses and sorry if I didnt reply to each one of you but I'll upvote as much as as I can. Never thought so many would reply and Lemmy is a really great community.

2nd Edit: So in conclusion, people from everywhere basically just drink water straight out of tap. And to my surprise, I checked the Water Supplies Department website and notice it asserts that tap water in Hong Kong is potable, like many well-developed countries and regions.

However, as the majority of Hong Kong people are living in high-rise buildings, a small amount of residual chlorine is maintained in the water to keep it free from bacterial infection during its journey in the distribution system. Therefore it is recommended to boil the water so that chlorine dissipates.

So, in short, I actually do not need to boil the water unless I hate chlorine smell and taste. But I guess I'll just continue this old habit/tradition as there's no harm in doing so.

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[-] Tankton@lemm.ee 33 points 1 year ago

Netherlands: our tap water is better than bottled spring water

[-] 9488fcea02a9@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 year ago

Canada: our bottled water IS tap water....

I just drink water straight from the tap

[-] DubiousInterests@lemmy.fmhy.ml 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Fuck Nestle!

I think tap water being bottled water is the same for pretty much the same for every country that has clean drinking water available from the tap.

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[-] marvin@lemmy.sdf.org 30 points 1 year ago

Berlin, Germany: we drink water straight from the tap. It's free and delicious. If you don't feel like drinking tap, just drink a "Berliner Rohrperle". It's the same thing with a fancier name, because our tap water is awesome.

Nowadays we even have public drinking fountains dotted around the city.

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[-] SaltySalamander@lemmy.fmhy.ml 30 points 1 year ago

If you can't drink your tap water without boiling, your government has totally failed you.

[-] average650@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I think temporary exceptions after storms or pipe breaks are acceptable. But I get what you're saying as a general rule.

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[-] Vertelleus@sh.itjust.works 27 points 1 year ago

US here. Yes, can confirm I can, and do drink water from the tap without boiling. The city provides, maintains, and regularly checks the safety of the water. Notices are put out if something damages the pipes and a "water boiling" policy is put out promptly over local radio and/or newspaper.

[-] dandroid@dandroid.app 9 points 1 year ago

It depends on where you live in the US for sure. Not everywhere has drinkable water. And even more places have poor-tasting or very hard tap water.

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[-] StingyAsian88@aussie.zone 24 points 1 year ago

Lol, I was you 10 years ago. For context I'm Malaysian and we only drink water that is first filtered and then boiled. When eating outside we generally avoid iced drinks unless it's a reputable shop.

Then I moved to Australia and reacted with utter horror to see my then-bf drink straight from the tap. I was like wtf you're going to get parasites! Spit it out!

Now I drink water like Aussies and my kid refills her bottle from the tap too. My parents, when they visit, still boil water to drink but they've at least stopped thinking we're trying to murder their grandchild.

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[-] EponymousBosh@beehaw.org 21 points 1 year ago

In the US, the only time you'd have to boil water before drinking in most places is if there's something wrong with the water system and they put out a "boil water" advisory, and that's pretty rare. It's definitely not something you have to on a daily basis. Some people will use water filters but it's not usually a necessity.

[-] DandalfTheWhite@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago

Very true. However in the less urban areas there is often well water which varies by jurisdiction from drinkable to toxic (even flammable!) Also some places in the US have water that is unsafe to use even if it was boiled. Usually water is handled on the local level and can be different depending on the local government’s ability, wisdom, and funding.

[-] s0phia@beehaw.org 19 points 1 year ago

Tap water in Brazil is supposed to be drinkable, but I use a filter anyways because I don't trust the companies.

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[-] Rhabuko@feddit.de 16 points 1 year ago

I'm from Germany and I always drink Tap water without boiling it first. Well to be fair, I turn my tap water into sparkling water with my beloved SodaStream.

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[-] eight_byte@feddit.de 15 points 1 year ago

Germany, yes we do drink water without boiling it directly from the tap. Tap water must in general have drinking water quality across the country. However, even it may not be a health risk, some people don't like the taste. Where I live, it tastes very good.

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[-] Grishaix@feddit.de 13 points 1 year ago
[-] hendrik@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

Yes. And i'm always stunned by how many people buy loads of water at the Getränkemarkt. Just drink it from the tap or get one of those machines that make sparkling water if you like that?!

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[-] Mistblown@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 year ago

BC, Canada - our tap water is perfectly safe and delicious! My experience in North America has been generally safe to drink tap water, but there are areas where it is not safe. I find it similar to reviews - if nothing is wrong, people are less likely to leave a positive review.

[-] DelvianSeek@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

US here, live in the vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts. Water is very safe out of the tap - we get an annual report of what's in it from the Mass. Water Resource Authority (MWRA) and it's tested regularly. Tastes good too, if I'm honest. I would say that MOST developed areas of the US have perfectly safe drinking water out of the tap, though it doesn't all taste very good (looking at you, Washington DC). However there are some more rural areas where the water out of tap is not safe for drinking, and where boiling or bottled water is recommended. I remember traveling out west back in 2010 and being surprised at this.

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[-] Sabakodgo@lemmy.fmhy.ml 11 points 1 year ago

It is safe in most parts of the EU. If you can't, they tell you, usually.
Iceland has one of the cleanest water in the world.

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[-] Mmagnusson@programming.dev 11 points 1 year ago

I'm Icelandic. The water is potable straight from the tap: no filtration or boiling required, albeit the hot water may smell a bit of sulfur due to being heated with geothermal energy.

[-] spegin@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 year ago

In Germany: tap water is drinkable without boiling, if you go to a restaurant you can even ask for a glass of tap water with your meal

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[-] TenSlot85@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

As long as you don't live in Flint, USA water is generally safe to drink from the tap.

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[-] lemuria@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

Manila, Philippines: My drinking water comes from a delivery service that drops off a few blue containers of drinking water every few days. I've never swallowed tap water but I do use tap water when rinsing after toothbrushing. The sticker on the blue containers has the company name on it, contact details (obviously), and something about "18-stages latest US technology".

[-] Julian_1_2_3_4_5@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

In Germany, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and italy, everybody also just drinks it without boiling or anything

[-] Daftman@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Fun fact about the Netherlands (might be for Germany aswell) the water from the tap has a higher quality than water from bottles. This is because the quality standards and regulations for tap water are higher than for bottled water.

[-] Julian_1_2_3_4_5@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago

Yeah true, i heard about that here in germany, thats why many people here buy soda stream and make their own sparkling water now

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[-] CoolBeance@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

Philippines here. You cannot trust the tap water in this country anywhere, even after boiling. You really have to use a good water filter or just buy jugs of purified water from a water station.

[-] Shanisan@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the EU has regulations that say tap water should be drinkable as-is.

That said, in some places it may taste a bit weird - and by place I mean even in the same city. I live in a city in Hungary, lived in four different buildings on different parts of the city. 3/4 the water was fine 99% of the time, though the fourth one was absolutely nasty. Didn't live there long luckily.

[-] ChrislyBear@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Here in Austria we drink our tap water as it is. It comes basically straight from the mountains, you can't get any better.

In our biggest city, Vienna we even have the best water in the country (in my opinion) if you live on the West side of the Danube river. I miss the Viennese water, no joke!

[-] shirro@aussie.zone 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Australia. My local water supply is sourced from a muddy river. Not ideal as there is agricultural runoff and occasional algal blooms but it is a semi-arid region and the only option. The towns water supply has sediments settled out then is filtered, treated with chloramine, then UV, then fluoridated for dental health. We mainly drink it chilled through an inline fridge filter. There is no need to boil as the chloramine and UV kill any microorganisms. The bigger concern is probably agricultural chemicals but I am sure the quality is monitored. Some people still buy bottled water because they are ignorant. We take water bottles filled with tap water to school and sports and the schools all have chilled tap water for refilling water bottles.

[-] AgreeableLandscape@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Chinese person in Canada: I just drink cold tap water, but my parents and grandparents drink boiled water. Not really for safety concerns over here, but they, my grandparents especially, subscribe to that traditional Chinese medicine thing of don't put anything cold into your body ever.

[-] andr3a@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Hong Kong: safe to drink from the tap. I filter it for taste and do not boil it.

Here is a recent government test, which I think is a good complement to asking what people do or do not do.

[-] loehwe@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 1 year ago

Yes I'm drinking untreated tap water in Germany, got a SodaStream to add bubbles sometimes. When we were recently visiting the US (NYC) I drank tap water, too, but my wife didn't like it because of a distinct chlorine smell and taste but I didn't mind

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[-] MiddleWeigh@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I live in the pretty rural u.s. and my water is pumped up from an underground water table, a well that may or may not contain high traces of any number of metals, minerals, or toxic substances, and it's important to have it tested.

I get my drinking water in refillable 5 gal jugs, 2 at a time, from a machine that has pretty intense filters, iirc. So it's pretty much filtered tap water.

A filtration system would be pretty expensive outside of a basic sediment filter, which I have. Showering is fine with my tap water. Drinking it is probably fine too tbh, and I do it once in a while. Though I try to be conscious about my water usage, cause digging a deeper well is out of my power, money wise.

In some cities, there is lead in the water due to infrastructure incompetence, and straight malicious bad actors.

That's not a problem in my home city, and the tap is largely fine to drink.

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[-] bobroundpants@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

Spain here, tap water is safe for drinking everywhere, though you might have some issues in small old towns. But generally you will not contract any illnesses nor have any health issues, 100% guarranteed

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[-] Thorny_Thicket@sopuli.xyz 8 points 1 year ago

Finland

Yes. Our tap water is among the cleanest on earth

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[-] ADHDGoblin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 year ago

Seattle, United States - we drink without boiling although a water district in the area has semi-annual boil water orders for e. Coli and stuff. I've lived in water districts where the tap water tastes funny and lots of people put it through a cheap filter, but I've never minded the flavor.

Basically, the default here is that you don't need to boil or filter your water.... But sometimes contamination happens and then everyone freaks out for a week or so.

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[-] jzefbeio54@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I think almost everywhere in Europe you can drink tap water (my 2 cents from France)

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[-] anewage0fsewage@sopuli.xyz 7 points 1 year ago

Drank tap water from the faucet for 35 years. Broke down and bought a Breta filter just for the heck of it and never looked back. US citizen btw

[-] DominicHillsun@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

In Lithuania we do not need to boil tap water to drink it and usually it tastes nice unless your plumbing is fucked

[-] Waker@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Portugal 🇵🇹, we drink tap water here it should be fine unless you're in an old building and the pipes haven't had any maintenance. Been in old buildings in Lisbon that had brownish/tan water and I had to let it run for a good 30secs until it came out clean.

Never drank water from there unless I was desperate, always used bottled water. However, where I was raised the tap water there is sooooo good.

Also I'm absolutely biased and conditioned by living here my whole life, but I've visited a lot of countries. And no tap water is even close to Portuguese tap water.

P.S. Been to HK just about a month and I really found it charming. The way "western" culture is applied there. Mostly on buildings and lamps etc. While on the other side you have traditional temples. Very cool

Shame for the past couple of events there (cough CCP cough)

[-] dan@upvote.au 7 points 1 year ago

I'm from Melbourne Australia but currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both areas have drinkable tap water without having to boil it.

[-] matricaria@feddit.de 7 points 1 year ago

I’ve been to Iceland a few years ago. The tap water often had a strong smell of sulfur, especially in the capital, Reykjavik.

Maybe it’s still safe to drink, but the taste was not great. Even showering was not awesome.

[-] ARNiM@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

In Indonesia, the tap water is not drinkable. Some gets their water from a nation-owned Drinking Water Company (PAM; Perusahaan Air Minum).

The situation is similar, they contain plenty of Chlorine to prevent bacteria from growing. But the distribution system might not be the cleanest. So usually people buy gallons of mineral water and put them into a dispenser.

Some others, takes their tap water from groundwater, pump it into a water tank, and use them. It is not drinkable either.

At home I use Reverse Osmosis dispenser from the groundwater, and it goes through a reminalisation process after the filtration process. I’ve been drinking with this setup for over 15 years now.

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[-] colonial@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Here in the US, tap water is safe to drink, but its "hardness" (that is, mineral content) can vary even between adjacent municipalities. Harder tap might taste "bad" or "off," especially if you're not used to it, but it's actually healthier because of all the magnesium/calcium/whatever.

A lot of people use filtration devices (such as Brita pitchers) to improve the taste, but I don't know anyone who would refuse to drink tap.

[-] Anticorp@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Absolutely. We have outstanding tap water here in the PNW. It tastes better than bottled water and is crystal clear.

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[-] ILurkAndIKnowThings@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

In Canada, I know people from Hong Kong who still boil water before drinking. They have been in Canada for 40+ years, have seen everyone around them drink tap water, and yet hang on to this ritual of boiling copious amounts of water.

[-] milo@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

Dublin, Ireland here. Always drank water straight from the tap. Unless there is some kind of issue with the water system in your area, then a notice will be put out to tell people to boil water before drinking.

[-] Fabrik872@apollo.town 7 points 1 year ago

Europe, slovakia tap water is drinkable but the taste differs from city to city i think usualy vilages and tiny towns have better tasting water

[-] fugepe@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

Yes. Canada

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this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
405 points (97.9% liked)

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