I drink the tap water in ES, never an issue. We have some sort of cheap filter attatched to the tap - turn the dial up for filtered and down for non. I actually like the taste, and Im not glowing in the dark.

Originally posted by MaCCi_7   So, can anybody confirm why the tap water here is so frowned upon? Is it an urban myth created by an evil bottled-water conglomerate?

I got a stomach amoeba after my water filter broke. Didn't even notice the slight crack in it until after I was at the doctor. That's when I switched to bottled water.

It all depends on where you are and how much you trust the condition of the water treatment facilities, pipes and your water box.  A dirty water box or an improper water set up (not uncommon) could lead to problems.

Originally posted by finrudd Depends where you live - I drink tap water in Sao Paulo, although in some older buildings the taste is not so good. Also depends if it comes from rising mains, or if it's pumped up to a large storage tank. If the latter, then you might want to check that storage tank - how often is it cleaned? Does it have a cover that isn't broken? Are there dead rats floating in it? Many taps have a screw-on/off filter that you can undo, and see the mesh/filter. Even in a new build, I have taken one of these off after six months and seen bits caught there - small bits of stone or cement, and dead flies. It won't kill you (probably) but that is the joy of storage tanks. If your water comes from a well, then there are companies that will test the water for you, to check for traces of fecal matter, chemicals from agriculture etc. So, drinking the water from the taps really depends where you are.

That pretty much sums up the "is it safe to drink?" question, which has been batted back and forth on here before.  The water might be 'potable' and certifiably 'clean' when it leaves the municipal treatment plant, but what it passes through until it's released from your tap is another question.

Will you collapse on to the floor after drinking one glass?  Of course not.  There's water-borne illness, the effects known more swiftly (as in Nikki's case) and then water contamination, which is a residual effect.  I'd say the latter will be the case for Sven, but I believe his habitual consumption of hot sauce and spices counter-acts any long term damage from tainted water. 

A 20L jug costs what... six reais?  A small price to pay I think for safeguarding one's health.

Everybody drinks tap water. Do you think anyone here would go to the expense of making ice from bottled water?

Originally posted by Gringo.Floripa Originally posted by Captain Ron Do you think anyone here would go to the expense of making ice from bottled water? My hand is raised to the affirmative!

How anal - and do you ensure that the ice in your whiskey at the restaurant was made with bottled water? And, if they said "yes" would you believe them. I guess you also use it to brush your teeth?
Let's get real. We all ingest tap water whether we like it or not.