By Dr Eddy Bajrovic*
In Australia, we simply assume that water from the tap is safe to drink. But, that’s not always the case overseas – a fact travellers often learn the hard way.
Anywhere that sanitation and hygiene are wanting, water is a common source of potentially severe diseases such as hepatitis A and E, typhoid, dysentery and cholera, and the multitude of micro-organisms that can cause travellers’ diarrhoea.
Until recently, it was difficult to get reliable advice on whether or not the tap water at your destination was safe to drink without first being boiled or treated.
Now, travellers can check using a new website - http://isthewatersafetodrink.com/
The site’s search facility allows users to enter the name of a country or city. While it has limitations (a couple of countries we entered were not included) most popular destinations appear to be there and for many, the user is offered a list of its cities to choose from.
‘Safe’, ‘not safe’… and ‘maybe’
The site gives an assessment of the local tap water that amounts to either ‘safe’, ‘not safe’, or ‘maybe’.
For example, the advice for Rio de Janeiro and the other 16 cities listed for Brazil was: “All local water should be considered contaminated. Bring all tap water to a good rolling boil if you want to drink, brush your teeth or make ice cubes. Otherwise, buy capped bottled water from reputable brands.”
Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose was less definitive: “The water may be safe to drink in San Jose, Costa Rica”. May be? The site explains: “Basically, the water is chlorinated and locals drink it from the tap with no problems. However, some strains of E. coli which you may not have immunity for, could be present in small concentrations causing diarrhoea. Bottled water is recommended for the first few weeks while your body develops immunity.”
As for Australia, there was no doubt about the water quality in any of the capital or regional cities listed: “High five! Find a tap and fill up your water bottle – you'll be doing our precious blue planet a favour!”
Empowering travellers, reducing pollution
Canberra-educated Pon Kattera, now a successful New York-based web designer, got the idea for the website after too often finding himself in a new city wondering if the tap water was safe to drink. However, cutting down pollution from discarded plastic water bottles was clearly another reason for developing the site.
He approached the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) to ask if he could use water quality data from their country profiles to develop isthewatersafetodrink.
“I created the site to empower people to make informed decisions about the drinkability of tap water on their travels,” Kattera said in an interview with IAMAT when it announced the new website.
“Looking online sometimes works, but it’s often a hit or miss experience where the results can seem untrustworthy. I would ask other travellers but most people are not 100% sure.
“Hopefully, having easy access to this information will help travellers avoid getting sick, save them a few dollars and result in less plastic waste from bottled water.”
Beware dodgy tourist traps
But, as the new website concedes, even seemingly safe chlorinated tap water in developed countries can contain micro-organisms that can, at least initially, give you an upset stomach.
Which makes reputable bottled water the simplest solution, so to speak, for short stays.
While most hotels and resorts offer plenty of bottled water choices, away from them one needs to be careful. Selling dodgy bottled water to tourists is an industry in many poor communities.
Before parting with your cash, take a few seconds to (1) check that the bottle is new, (2) that the seal is unbroken and, finally (3) the water is free of tell-tale floating particles when the bottle is shaken.
If in doubt, try another vendor.
Water – rules to travel by
Just a minute: Boiled water is always safe and a minute of vigorous bubbling is enough to kill almost all stomach bugs. Let the water stand at room temperature to cool (allowing impurities to settle) before decanting into your water bottles.
Choose name brands: In developing countries, especially where sanitation is poor, buy international brands you recognise – even if they cost a little more than local brands. (Carbonated water and flavoured drinks are generally safer than still water because their acid pH inhibits bacterial growth.)
Ice isn’t cool: It should be emphasised, freezing does NOT kill any micro-organisms that might be in tap water. In countries where sanitation is suspect, ice-making machines are almost impossible to clean, making them an ideal place for organisms to multiply.
Tied and true reminders: In your room, tie a piece of ribbon or string to the tap or spout as a reminder NOT to drink it.
Keep your mouth shut: Swallowing water in the shower or pool is also a bad idea. Public pools are usually crowded and not always properly chlorinated. Studies have shown that swimmers who submerge their heads tend to have more gastro illnesses than those who don’t, while waders have fewer illnesses than swimmers.
Fresh ain’t always best: It’s best to avoid fresh fruit drinks sold at street stalls and markets. As tempting as they look, they’re often made and stored in impossible-to-clean equipment, bulked up with tap water, and chilled with ice.
Eau, no, natural: Water from streams, springs, or lakes is rarely safe anymore – even in pristine mountain settings – due to contamination by birds, animals, and/or humans. Boil or disinfect natural water before drinking it. Purification (see below) is ideal when you're off the beaten track and reputable, sealed bottled water is either hard to find or expensive.
Treating water – 4 easy options
Besides boiling, there are several ways to make tap water safe for drinking. Some are more effective (and palatable) than others, so a trial run before you leave home is a good idea.
Just a minute: Boiled water is always safe and a minute of vigorous bubbling is enough to kill almost all stomach bugs. Let the water stand at room temperature to cool (allowing impurities to settle) before decanting into your water bottles. At altitude water boils at lower temperatures, so a further minute of boiling is needed for each 300 metres above sea level.
Purification devices: Devices such as Fill2Pure use microfiltration membrane technology to remove over 99.9% of water-borne bacteria and protozoan cysts. Some devices have filters with an additional iodine core. Go online and do some research.
Purification tablets**: Combining chlorine and silver nitrate, these tablets are effective, compact, and cheap (around 35 cents/litre).
Iodine: Iodine remains an effective water treatment method. Add 8 drops of iodine antiseptic (i.e. Betadine: 1% available iodine) to 1 litre of water (double the amount of iodine if water is cloudy or cold) and allow it to stand for 30 minutes. Avoid iodine if you are pregnant, allergic to iodine, or have a thyroid condition.
Chlorine: Add 2 drops (0.1ml) of 5% chlorine bleach to each litre of water.
**Available from Travelvax Australia clinics.
The last drop… Beer drinkers will be pleased to hear that water first has to be boiled before the brewing phase, making bottled beer a popular choice among thirsty travellers. In moderation, of course.
* Dr Bajrovic is the Medical Director of Travelvax Australia.
For more information on what’s safe to eat and drink while overseas visit the Travelvax Australia website. For a pre-travel medical consultation at your nearest clinic, please call 1300 360 164.