Does anyone in CM drink tap water?

[Wiggy]

I've been drinking filtered tap water in Bangkok for 10 years, with no (currently) ill effects. I use a GE under-sink filter, the water tastes OK and all bodily functions are normal. I'm careful to change the filters every six months.

[Borzandy]

Only those want to commit suicide drink tap water. Although an irresponsible incompetent advised we can drink it.

 

[masuk]

 

 

 

No. The traditional wisdom is that the water might be safe, but the pipes that it runs through are not. I don't know anyone who drinks tap water. 

 

We've been drinking it for years and no bad effects.....aside from entire family now growing two heads each.

 

All jokes aside, we have excellent filtration at our house and my wife also invested in an Alkaline Ionizer which makes it very drinkable.

 

 

All jokes aside, I only get proper stools when I have looked after my own food. I don't trust anyone, any tool or any platter. It is generally washed in the dark by someone in their '60's+ who's idea of germinology is perhaps a Western thing. Advise as such: imagine you touch a chicken covered with paint - now avoid contact with paint hereafter.

 

Best of luck.

 

My gut has swollen from 30" to 34" - I do not eat more, I have not had a non-medically induced solid stool in the last eight months. I know my gut is infected, by what I don't know. Carry on...

 

 

if your comment about an infected gut is a serious one get a check for Giardia, it's quite a common little parasite, water carried, and can even live in ice.  10 to 14 days on the tablets but you can't touch the booze in any way when you're on the medication.

 

Your comment about bugs living in ice reminded me of an incident when in Indonesia,  I was served water with ice.  It had obvious dirt in the ice blocks and the owner commented  "not to worry- it's frozen"!   As if freezing kills anything, but it's a common myth..

[kaptainrob]

America is a first (?) world country but residents where I live drink bottled.

 

Your skin is your biggest organ. You assimilate water when you shower. Think about it.

 

Thailand is also first world and CM town water probably far safer than much of US.

 

1st/3rd world not really valid description and IMHO shouldn't be used.  Living in tropical regions whether Central America or Asia, one should be aware of correct food handling and consumption.  Bottled water is important when eating out and travelling but CM town water has been tested over and over as safe to drink.  Simple 3 stage filtration can remove any minor nasties.  Sediment>Charcoal>Ceramic works for me although some add a UV filter.  

[elgenon]

 

America is a first (?) world country but residents where I live drink bottled.

 

Your skin is your biggest organ. You assimilate water when you shower. Think about it.

 

Thailand is also first world and CM town water probably far safer than much of US.

 

1st/3rd world not really valid description and IMHO shouldn't be used.  Living in tropical regions whether Central America or Asia, one should be aware of correct food handling and consumption.  Bottled water is important when eating out and travelling but CM town water has been tested over and over as safe to drink.  Simple 3 stage filtration can remove any minor nasties.  Sediment>Charcoal>Ceramic works for me although some add a UV filter.  

 

Probably. I don't trust what the government says. It is controlled by the big corporations. That's why I had a question mark.

[thailand49]

Many years ago I was in Hong Kong visiting a family member and drank water from the tap.. a few days later I was really sick and I do not get sick very often.  To this day I still remember it the shaking?  When I went to the doctor a Brit women she told me even in Hong Kong you can't drink the water? not sure about today?

 

I have many friends back home who work for the health department and where I use to work have learn must about the filter water system and yes in countries like the U.S. the bottle water is a CON because many water tested in many cities the water was equal if not better bottle water. The City I lived in the contract with a bottle water company was cancelled after the City water was tested better than bottle water. The company nearly went out of business.

 

In the western world like my hometown, from what I can see reservoir and dams are usually closed and protected from people and wildlife waste and at some point down stream I see a filtration plant but here in Pattaya, ( not sure outside )  I see people fishing, wildlife, etc.. in the water doing their thing?  personally the water here look clear coming from the tab but no way and that comes from doctors from Bangkok/Pattaya hospital. Whenever I have a large cut I cover it when taking a shower and I use bottle water to clean the area.  I have seen many cuts on Thais firsthand not going through this process of cleaning the area with bottle water and the ugly results. Like my son kids come home with cuts and I clean them and put antibiotic cream from the U.S. on the cuts heal much cleaner compare to his Thai friends?

 

I also have a water machine filtration system outside my place and the government regulation is to change the filter every two months but this is not enforce.  To replace the filter every 2 months the cost to me 2,000 each time, and through the years I have brought down the cost by seeking out different vendors and still it is barely making any money. I just changed the whole system yesterday and cleaned out the lines and tank took me two hours and my neighbors were just laughing at this falang?  to me it is all visual with the Thais?  there are a half doesn't of these machines around my neighborhood but never have seen any of them service maybe that is way although I barely cover the expense the neighbor use my machine?

 

Personally unless you like pain and want  to flush your system clean I would not drink the water although I do rinse my mouth after brushing with tab water?  not sure why goes against everything i wrote guess I'm a hypocrite like everyone else and human but drinking a glass of water from the tab is way different in my book!

[muffy]

Never , in Bangkok I use Sprinkle and very happy with them .    When I brush my teeth I rinse with mouth wash .

Edited August 15, 2014 by muffy

[phanu]

I'm drinking tap water since many years, in Bangkok or Chiang Mai where I'm living... or everywhere when Im traveling...without filter... and water of my well in Chiang Mai too...

Until now, no problem... Maybe I'm lucky !

:-)

 

[GBK]

I've been cleaning my teeth in it for 26 years and I fill the kettle with it and drink about 4 litres a day from that kettle in various forms.

 

OK so far.

 

Do what you prefer.

[tamvine]

I use water from the roadside machines that dispense water. I have done this in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Chiang Mai and have never had a problem in over 3 years. I have no inclination to drink tap water, altho I have no evidence one way or the other. My main problem with bottled water is the issue of solid waste: too many plastic bottles.

 

USA, UK , India are some of the countries I have drunk water straight from the Tap. I never had have any problem. I wonder if Thai govt. will clarify if it is safe to drink water straight from the Tap. I agree with many comments in thread that bottled water companies make tons of money citing safety. I wonder if there can be a push to govt. clarify this issue and have everyone given a choice to have safe tap water to drink. Will save environmental issues as well by reducing plastics from the bottled waters. 

[Estrada]

I have been manufacturing water treatment systems since 1974. The water from the Water Authority is safe to drink, however if you boil the water and put it aside in the refridgerator or better still, install a water filter unit with ultrafiltration, available cheaply from Homepro or similar. Mine cost B4500 including fitting. It is manufactured by Stiebel Eltron. Drinking R.O water is not good for your health as it is too pure (British Medical Association).

[Jasun]

Same, brush teeth, occasional topping up of the kettle if out of bottled water. Whatever bugs are in it, i've long developed an immunity and haven't been sick in years. 

[misterphil]

I have maintained RO plants.  Reverse Osmosis plants in Africa before and trust me the tap water is NOT drinkable in Thailand.  However, if you have been drinking the tap water in Thailand since you were a small baby your body will have built up the antibodies to deal with it and you will be able to drink it.  Have you been drinking tap water in Thailand since you were a baby??? Thought not.  

[ironbark]

The human body has numerous defence mechanisms to protect it self. In fact research is showing that many modern illnesses like asthma and allergies come about because our modern lifestyle is too hygenic.
Those that claim they never drink tap water are fooling themselves. When you shower, you invariably get tap water in your mouth. Same when you wash the dishes or rinse the vegetables.
Given health standards and poor enforcement in Thailand you have no guarantee that bottled water is any better than what comes from the tap.
If you do ever get tummy troubles it is more likely due to using a different source of water, which has a slightly different assemblage of bugs and it is just your immune system making adjustments.
One post correctly noted that to much RO water has its own problems because our bodies actually need a certain level of salts, minerals and good bugs to function properly.

[natway09]

The person who stated that water is potable in Bangkok when leaves the treatment station is correct.

Unfortunately with movements in the ground & being swampe pipes do rupture on a regular basis.

It is unavoidable that repair men are going to contaminate the water during repair.

In saying that we have used a 3 stage filter for coffee, drinking etc & change filters about every 5 months.

All still alive & kicking. CM not sure sorry

[Donnievino]

With the new revelations a couple of days ago I now feel completely comfortable washing my tooth brush in Tap water instead of bottled water.

[Greg Nixon]

In Mukdahan the water is frequently turned off. No shower, no washing clothes and no flushing the toilet. It makes keeping stored water in 20 gallon tanks in the washroom/shower room a necessity. 

 

i would never drink the water from the tap after personally witnessing black sludge exiting my taps. Thankfully bottled water in 5 gallon containers is inexpensive (30 baht/week for a family of 3)  and rather safe ( I have never gotten sick from it ) . I react negatively to reverse osmosis water ( I think the name indicates that this is a scam). I also got sick from this water in China.  I believe it is tap water put into bottles. 

[Greg Nixon]

No i would never drink tap water in Thailand unless driven to desperation.

 

But let me take this opportunity to tell the readers that drinking two glasses of water upon waking in the AM, a glass 30 minutes before you eat, extra water prior to exercise and water before bedtime ( I drink two glasses to avoid leg cramps ) is recommended by heart specialists. Also one a day aspirin should be taken before bedtime. It is wise to keep a bottle of this aspirin next to your bed. If you awake with heart distress take two and sit up and await the ambulance. 

[corb]

Where I live in Sawang Arom, Uthai Thani, everybody drinks tapwater, they pump it up themselves.

[Eaglekott]

I live in Bangkok, in a rather new built Condo, and I drink tap water every now and then, I have never felt bad about it. The water is actually really good. 

 

My parents in-law lives in a house in Nonthaburi and the water in their house taste a bit strange so I do not drink water in their house.

[roger1999]

I'm the OP.  Thanks for all of the interesting feedback.  Regarding the comment that your skin is the largest organ in your body, and that it can somehow absorb "bad" water when taking a shower, I'm not sure of the science behind this.

 

For work reasons in 2003 I had to move to Mexico City for eight months.  Let me tell you, if you did not keep your mouth clamped shut while taking a shower, you would suffer the consequences.  But if you kept your mouth clamped shut, no problem.  Thus I am suspect that your skin is somehow absorbing water similar to drinking a glass of water.

 

In CM I don't have to worry clamping my mouth shut while showering.  While I do drink bottled water, I always rinse with normal tap water after brushing my teeth.

[ps981]

My theory is that if the locals don't drink their own water, then us foreigners shouldn't be doing it either. I don't think it will kill you but who knows what's in it. If you boil it though, it's fine.

[Card]

As we all know, Thais use multiple pharmaceuticals for every minor ailment and a high percentage of Thai women are "on the pill". All that gets back into the water supply (even if filtered) so it's not a good idea to drink. It's not even a good idea to cook rice with it as all the water is absorbed into the rice.

You should read what is written about bottled water on the internet. The plastic bottles allow seepage of plasticiser chemicals into the water and they are very environmentally unfriendly - filling the oceans with plastic crap, killing off sea creatures. Even the most expensive bottled waters have been found to be microbially contaminated.

 

Personally I sometimes drink Bangkok water but almost always use the 3 filter system and change once per year - it makes all the difference to the taste, so must improve it, and possibly takes out a lot of those medications. I am not sure about what might leak into the water from the resin filter but after flushing it out a few times when using a new one, I'm fairly confident that any surface contaminants will be washed away. Not true I think with new bottles that bought water comes in.

 

Edited August 15, 2014 by Card

[corb]

There seems to be a problem in Thailand with legionella, cases in bangkok !
Then you don't have to worry about your drinking water only !

[northernjohn]

 

As we all know, Thais use multiple pharmaceuticals for every minor ailment and a high percentage of Thai women are "on the pill". All that gets back into the water supply (even if filtered) so it's not a good idea to drink. It's not even a good idea to cook rice with it as all the water is absorbed into the rice.

You should read what is written about bottled water on the internet. The plastic bottles allow seepage of plasticiser chemicals into the water and they are very environmentally unfriendly - filling the oceans with plastic crap, killing off sea creatures. Even the most expensive bottled waters have been found to be microbially contaminated.

 

Personally I sometimes drink Bangkok water but almost always use the 3 filter system and change once per year - it makes all the difference to the taste, so must improve it, and possibly takes out a lot of those medications. I am not sure about what might leak into the water from the resin filter but after flushing it out a few times when using a new one, I'm fairly confident that any surface contaminants will be washed away. Not true I think with new bottles that bought water comes in.

 

 

 

Agree there is always the risk of the plastic contaminating the water to a degree. Some bottles I will not even buy because of the cheap plastic.

 

My question is does not some water also contain needed minerals that you are filtering out?

[masuk]

I have been manufacturing water treatment systems since 1974. The water from the Water Authority is safe to drink, however if you boil the water and put it aside in the refridgerator or better still, install a water filter unit with ultrafiltration, available cheaply from Homepro or similar. Mine cost B4500 including fitting. It is manufactured by Stiebel Eltron. Drinking R.O water is not good for your health as it is too pure (British Medical Association).

I read the same thing - water which is filtered and de-ionised has the minerals taken out. This is not healthy as Estrada says, and is not good for growing kids, as fluoride is needed for strong teeth, which by the way is about equal to naturally occurring fluoride in parts of the USA.

 

Some countries sell bottled water which is labelled as 'Mineral Water" and lists the minerals.  Is it in Thailand?

 

Plastics is another concern, and many folk use water in glass bottles, which are recycled of course.

 

I prefer to buy water which is ozone treated, and hopefully the minerals are still present. 

[Keesters]

I have for the last 30 years drunk Pattaya City tap water at home. But it does run through a filter, inserts cleaned monthly and renewed once a year. Never been sick that could be attributed to the water. BTW pipes from the road to the house are 30 years old. If there is anything wrong with the water that the filter cannot fix them I reckon I'm immune to it now.

 

Some thoughts on bottled water

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10889470

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Krataiboy]

My understanding that the recycled water UK expats boast about being able to drink straight from the tap has, on average, been through nine people!

 

I won't even start to explain my Thai wife's reaction when she heard this!

[roger1999]

I believe it's true that every drop of water on the planet has been used over and over again, passing through many types of creatures.  As long as it's clean, no problem.  

 

And what about those showers on first class flights?  They use the same water over and over again, but, according to the airlines, due to the filtering process the water gets cleaner and cleaner every time it passes through the filters, so the last guy showering is actually using cleaner water than the first : )

Edited August 15, 2014 by roger1999

[Suradit69]

No. The traditional wisdom is that the water might be safe, but the pipes that it runs through are not. I don't know anyone who drinks tap water. 

 

"but the pipes that it runs through are not. "

 

And if you live in an apartment or condo (and maybe house?), the water is stored in tanks on the roof of the building.  Water tanks are almost obliged to contain at least one dead pigeon and/or decomposing rat.  

 

Lately I've noticed that within two or three flushes of the toilet following a rigorous cleaning, there's a brownish hue to the porcelain below water level that has nothing to do with anything I've recently  "deposited."

 

I also noticed when I was buying bottled water from the shops that the tea kettle quickly built up mineral deposits on the heating coil. After I started a weekly delivery of bottled water (in Pattaya) that the tea kettle remained free of this build-up even after months of use.