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Is Spain's tap-water actually undrinkable?

13

Is Spain's tap water actually largely undrinkable, or are British just incredibly arrogant about foreign tap water? In regards to tap water, British people behave as if Spain has a third world water system, which seems strangely for a highly developed country, actually coming above Britain in many development and standard of living studies.

So, is bottled water a neccessary precuation or just pure arrogance?

Reply 1

prospectivEEconomist

16

fu

Reply 2

BillyMarsh

10

To be fair, I started drinking it in moderation after living there for 2 years, the worst side effect is a slightly dodgy stomach but that's it really.

The water in the Canaries is different though because it's all desalinated, not 100% sure on the mainland's supply.

Reply 3

Eclectic Styles

14

ak56

Is Spain's tap water actually largely undrinkable, or are British just incredibly arrogant about foreign tap water? In regards to tap water, British people behave as if Spain has a third world water system, which seems strangely for a highly developed country, actually coming above Britain in many development and standard of living studies.

So, is bottled water a neccessary precuation or just pure arrogance?

You shouldn't even be drinking tap water because of the Floride that gets put into it... :no:

Reply 4

ccharlyy

9

they *say* its not safe to drink, but when I go to visit my dad who lives in tenerife (they have the same water system there, and your not meant to drink tap water. They even have a lorry driving up each road to deliver water in the morning, you go out with large bottles and get them refilled for 1 euro each..) I drink the tap water to prove a point. I've never got ill from it...take from that what you will!

Reply 5

doodle7

11

I don't think it's a case of ti being undrinkable - you would certianly get used to it if you lived there. It's just that our bodies aren't used to it because of the different water content and quality we have here. But I wouldn't recommend it if you're going on holiday there - you will probably get a dodgy tummy for a while!

Reply 6

cactussed

15

Eclectic Styles

You shouldn't even be drinking tap water because of the Floride that gets put into it... :no:

Do you not drink tap water?

Reply 7

MathsHamster

10

I got a slightly dodgy stomach after drinking Bulgarian water but it's what the locals drink all the time, so it was probably just me not being used to it.

Reply 8

Manitude

20

I think a country like Spain ought to be alright.
Heck, even in America (NY) I was told I shouldn't drink the tapwater, after I'd downed about half a pint.
Places like China though...We were basically told if you want to stay in your hotel room's bathroom for the rest of the trip, you can brush your teeth with this water. Otherwise use a bottle.

Reply 9

Manitude

20

Eclectic Styles

You shouldn't even be drinking tap water because of the Floride that gets put into it... :no:

You mean the stuff they put in toothpaste, to stop your teeth rotting?

Reply 10

Starless Eyes

I think the majority of tourists/travellers choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste or constitution of the Spainish water.

Nothing wrong with being cautious :wink2:

Reply 11

RamocitoMorales

21

Eclectic Styles

You shouldn't even be drinking tap water because of the Floride that gets put into it... :no:

Better than plastic bottled water.

Reply 12

missbrowneyes

I thought it was just about people being unused to tap water in a different country. I couldn't drink english tap water for ages ..

Reply 13

cmhcgs815

8

It's not undrinkable, just different. It's like in a lot of countries, it's composed differently so people who live there can drink it because they're used to it.
It's a good precaution to get bottled water if you've never drunk anything but British tap water.

Reply 14

Asha5692

15

I DOUBT it. I live in the Caribbean and the water here's perfectly drinkable, why would Spain's water be any different.

Reply 15

miml

17

I don't drink tap water here, it doesn't taste nice and I don't think Spanish tap water will be any better.

Reply 16

Eclectic Styles

14

cactussed

Do you not drink tap water?

I do. It leaves a horrible aftertaste and feeling afterwards. You can actually taste the difference if you filter all that chemical stuff out of it-- and that's not bottled water either!

It's not about being a fussy pants, it's just about having `proper` clean water to drink-- the stuff they put in tap water is just not cool...

Reply 17

Aphotic Cosmos

17

There's nothing wrong with Spanish water, people are just accustomed to the taste and chemistry of their local water. I used to find the water here in Leicester to taste and even smell really weird when I first came to the city, but now I've gotten used to it and it's just like the water back home.

It's like how different regions and countries have different background smells that require you to get adjusted for a few days to stop noticing them.

There are countries where the water can be a serious health hazard, however. Oh hai Egypt.

Reply 18

Victor-PP

15

I usually drink bottled water but I have had tap water thousands of times and never got anything from it.

Reply 19

Eclectic Styles

14

Manitude

You mean the stuff they put in toothpaste, to stop your teeth rotting?

Actually, dentists don't recommend using fluoride, since the chemical is a poison when concentrated by even a tiny amount. They use that new Xylitol stuff now, instead.

Is Spain's tap-water actually undrinkable?

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