I know that Mallorca's water supply has high levels of calcium and other minerals. I have been here for a month so far, and plan to stay long-term. I drink bottled water whenever it is available, but sometimes I run out. Is it safe to drink an occassional glass of tap water? What are the risks?
2006-12-17 05:11:11 · 4 answers · asked by AKA 3 in Travel ➔ Spain ➔ Islas Baleares
I don't think it is paranoia :-) All of the tourist sites/ Mallorca guides say not to ever drink the water and suggest even washing fruit with bottled water. That seems excessive to me, and pointless. I obviously wash dishes and vegetables and whatever in the water here, and I am not worried about brushing my teeth. I'm just wondering if there are long-term effects or serious health risks associated with drinking over-cholorinated water or water with a high calcium content.
2006-12-18 01:54:19 · update #1
You should not drink it, even if it is safe for the locals because their bodies are used to it. For you it would be very different and you will most likely get bad stomach ache if not much worse.
I wouldn't worry about cleaning your teeth with bottled water etc... and if you did accidently drink a little do not worry. If you did run out of bottled water and really needed water then boil the tap water before you use it and let it cool, just to be sure. But only do this occasionally, you should rely on the bottled water.
Most people who go abroad believe they cannot drink the water because it is unclean etc... they don't realise (as you do) that it is because of the mineral levels etc...
As for washing fruit with bottled water I agree, except fruit that has to be peeled. If you use the tap water then why bother washing it at all? I used to live in Lanzarote and the only time I would get stomach ache was when I had eaten salad. It took me a while to realise this and then realise it was due to the salad being washed in tap water!
Also, fruit, salad etc... already have alot of the natural water in it anyway from when it was growing. So there will always be a slight risk when eating this food. By washing it in tap water you are increasing the risk again.
Hope this makes sense and hope it helps.
2006-12-18 02:59:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water In Mallorca
2017-02-20 22:24:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not think this will cause you a problem but everybodys stomach is different
2006-12-17 07:09:56 · answer #3 · answered by derf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have a little bit paranoia
2006-12-17 08:43:03 · answer #4 · answered by andrej g 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋