2007-06-29 20:24:38 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Mexico ➔ Other - Mexico
The water in Mexico, and much of the undeveloped world, frequently contains parasites.
Parasites can be found in the water in major cities or small towns. I have been very sick following a trip to Mexico from parasites twice, once requiring hospitalization. This was in Puerto Vallarta which has one of the two cleanest water systems in the country. The time that required hospitalization I was infected with three different types of parasites, one of which could have lead to death if left untreated. I was on meds for six weeks. The meds (flagyl and paromomycin) themselves are very hard on the liver as they are essentially poisons that are designed to kill the parasites and not you.
Do not drink the tap water and do not listen to those who say it is ok, it isn't. I have home in Puerto Vallarta with many Mexican friends who are locals and none of them drink the water. I use bottled water for rinsing my toothbrush and am very careful not to accidentally ingest any water while showering.
2007-07-01 04:04:40 · answer #1 · answered by Alto Gringo 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the plumbing is very old, and they don't have the purification systems like in the US. Sewage seeps into the water supply. Gross--but if someone is carrying Hep. C (which is transmitted via fecal matter), you can get it by drinking the tap water. All kinds of bacteria are in the water.
If you are in Mexico, do not even use the tap water for toothbrushing. I learned that the hard way my first stay in Mexico!
For washing meat, fruits and vegetables, the stores sell drops. You'd fill the sink or a basin with water, add the drops, and wait about 10 minutes, then you'd scrub your vegetables in the purified water.
I was in Mexico City at Sanborn's using the rest room. I saw a woman filling a water bottle from the tap. Some people do drink the water. You can get very sick, though.
2007-06-29 22:18:28 · answer #2 · answered by salsera 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
even in major cities, it is not recomended that you drink the water. in smaller towns, the water comes from a well, or with town water. Houses don't come with pressurized water. Town water does into a cement hole in the ground (cistern), and a motor takes it to a large plastic container on the roof (tanaka). To get the water to the sink/shower/toilet, only gravity is used... If you leave water sitting ourside, not fully enclosed...well, things get in the water. I am a Canadian living in Mexico. Everyone drinks bottled water. It's cheap though. It's 17 pesos for a 20L jug (that's 1.70US). We pay more for the town water (50 pesos/$5US a month) than we do for bottles water...
2007-07-01 16:50:22 · answer #3 · answered by Justina M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most cities and towns in Mexico cannot afford the modern water processing plants that are in the states. Also, most of the water pipes are very old, have leaks, contain lead, and let in contaminates. NOBODY in Mexico drinks the tap waer...they use bolttled water. If you visit a big resort or tourist hotel, the water is safe...and the ice...They purify their own or use bottled water.
2007-06-29 20:55:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
not just in Mexico but in many countries, the tap water is not necessarily "potable" that is, drinkable. so it is advisable to drink bottled water whenever you travel, to anywhere. probably it is even advisable in some parts of the U.S.
however i can tell you that it's not going to kill you to consume a tiny tiny bit (like in the shower) just don't drink it by the glass full.
2007-06-30 11:13:04 · answer #5 · answered by KJC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cleansing system is not the same as it is here. Sometimes there is e-coli and other bacteria in the water. Not even the Mexicans drink the tap water- they either buy bottled water or boil the tap water before drinking it.
2007-06-30 01:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by meeeeeeeee 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mexico does not chlorinate the water like we do therefore it is undrinkable.
I think it can become drinkable if you add bleach, like only two drops to a full gallon of water.
I have heard of this for floods to do when water becomes contaminated, bleach kills things.
2007-06-29 21:05:47 · answer #7 · answered by Wade C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because not all the cities have a good disinfection/filtration system, another problem is, that the water of some cities have a lot of chlorine...
I do not like the water in Acapulco, it tastes like fish, but I drink without problems in Mexico city and in Monterrey city. check with the employees of your hotel, they will tell you if it is safe.
2007-06-30 01:28:13 · answer #8 · answered by Alfa 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Parasites and Bacteria
Use some Acidopholous tablets to help out your stomach. They have the same Bacteria thats in Yogurt and your belly. It does help keep from getting "Montezuma s revenge", the Squirts.
Stay away from Ice too.
2007-06-29 20:31:01 · answer #9 · answered by dm 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
B/c it's been known to carry bacteria (from fecal matter) that can get you pretty darn sick.
2007-06-29 20:28:15 · answer #10 · answered by Koosher 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋