Contamination of water supplies is usually due to poor sanitation close to water sources,
sewage disposal into the sources themselves, leakage of sewage into distribution systems
or contamination with industrial or farm waste. Even if a piped water supply is safe at
its source, it is not always safe by the time it reaches the tap. Intermittent tap-water
supplies should be regarded as particularly suspect.
Travellers on short trips to areas with water supplies of uncertain quality should avoid
drinking tap-water, or untreated water from any other source. It is best to hot drinks,
bottled or canned drinks of well-known brand names -- international standards of water
treatment are usually followed at bottling plants. Carbonated drinks are acidic, and slightly
safer. Make sure that all bottles are opened in your presence, and that their rims are clean
and dry.
Boiling is always a good way of treating water. Some hotels supply boiled water on
request and this can be used for drinking, or for brushing teeth. Portable boiling elements
that can boil small quantities of water are useful when the right voltage of electricity is
available. Refuse politely any cold drink from an unknown source.
Ice is only as safe as the water from which it is made, and should not be put in drinks
unless it is known to be safe. Drink can be cooled by placing them on ice tather than adding
ice to them.
Alcohol may be a medical disinfectant, but should not be relied upon to sterilize water.
Ethanol is more effective at a concentration of 50-70 per cent; below 20 per cent, its
bactericidal action is negligible. Spirits labelled 95 proof contain only about 47 per cent
alcohol. Beware of methylated alcohol, which is very poisonous, and should never be
added to drinking water.
If no other safe supply can be obtained, tap water that is too hot to touch can be left
to cool and is generally safe to drink. Those planning a trip to remote areas, or intending
to live in countries where drinking water is not readily available, should know about the
various possible methods for making water safe.