Is tap water in Metro Manila potable?

Question

I drink tap water in Malate, Metro Manila which may be potable or not. How can one determine if water is potable or not?

Answer 1

i wouldn't drink tap water anywhere in metro manila. the water's clean enough for brushing your teeth and maybe cooking, but if you insist on drinking it, i'd suggest boiling it first.
bottled water is cheap and plentiful anyway. if you don't like the idea of supporting the plastics industry, water filters are available at reasonable prices in places like rustan's supermarkets. my in-laws have been using brita filters for years, which seems to work for them.
the city's water filtration systems work fine, but so many of the pipes are old and leaking. even if you're certain there are no problems with the pipes all the way from the water plant to your neighborhood, you still can't be sure about the pipes in your community, or even in your building. there are so many illegal connections that dirt seeps into the pipes. also the water supply is so inadequate that the water pressure is often low -- another factor that contributes to dirt entering the system.
i no longer live in metro manila but was born and bred there. and ever since the late 1980s i hardly knew anyone who drank water out of the tap. i go home frequently and as far as i can tell, at least with regard to the water supply, little has changed.

Answer 2

Hi There,

I have been in Manila several times and I have been warned by the locals to stay away from drinking Tab - Brushing teeth is fine though.

You can buy bottles everywhere, so - now worries.

Also I would drink any tab anywhere unless locals specifically say it's okay. Asia in general I would and in Europe you also have to be carefull if you don't stay in the most western countries.

Answer 3

all you need is a jug or container to make it portab...... errr forget i said anything :p

Answer 4

could make you painfully sick!!!!!!!!!!