Mexico forum: Drinkin water in Mexico
Posted in the Mexico forum
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Frank Wagner
26 Feb 2009, 10:09Drinkin water in MexicoOn last question: Is the tab water in Mexico safe for drinking??
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Blizzy Everhard
02 Mar 2009, 17:56Most people will not drink the water from their taps in Mexico and, instead, purchase bottled water.
Mexico's mains water in some locations may be safe to drink. The issue is that an unascertained amount of it is not and it's not possible to say which supplies are safe without regular local testing.
Also, as the water supply has never been wholly potable, everyone in Mexico grows up being taught that the water from the tap is 'not safe to drink', so the supply's reputation precedes it. Thus, everyone boils tap water or purchases distilled (bottled) water for drinking.
Mains water pressure is usually low in Mexico. Therefore, water is fed from the mains into underground cisterns (usually one cistern per house or, if it's an apartment block, per building) from where it is pumped up to a water tank on the roof using an electric pump, thus giving a decent pressure for general usage and showers.
Another hygiene issue arises where the water tank on the roof is not clean: clean water may be pumped into an infected tank, infecting the house or building's water supply. Make sure that your water tank is checked and cleaned periodically to avoid water-borne infections inadvertently getting into your home.
