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.

  • Rokil@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I’m not sure that’s a myth, everywhere I search I find reasons to not drink hot tap water:

    • The heated water may cause the plumbing to release harmful substances such as lead and nickel
    • Cold water is fresher. Hot water stays in the plumbing system for a longer period of time to get heated. Longer stagnation time in the system may cause higher bacterial levels
    • Hot water is exposed to more pollution sources since it passes through additional tanks or heating systems.
    • The level of microorganisms is higher in hot water plumbing

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