Risks From Water

Drinking

Water that has been adequately chlorinated according to the minimum recommended water treatment standards used in the United States will afford substantial protection against viral and bacterial waterborne diseases. However, chlorine treatment alone, as used in the routine disinfection of water, may not kill some enteric viruses and the parasitic organisms that cause giardiasis, amoebiasis, and cryptosporidiosis. In areas where chlorinated tap water is not available or where hygiene and sanitation are poor, travellers should be advised that only the following may be safe to drink:

• Beverages, such as tea and coffee, made with boiled water.
• Canned or bottled beverages, including water, carbonated mineral water, and soft drinks.
• Beer and wine.

Where water might be contaminated, travellers should be advised that ice should also be considered contaminated and should not be used in beverages. If ice has been in contact with containers used for drinking, travellers should be advised to clean the containers thoroughly, preferably with soap and hot water, after the ice has been discarded.

It is safer to drink a beverage directly from the can or bottle than from a questionable container. However, water on the outside of beverage cans or bottles may also be contaminated. Therefore, travellers should be advised to dry wet cans or bottles before they are opened and to wipe clean surfaces with which the mouth will have direct contact. Where water may be contaminated, travellers should be advised to avoid brushing their teeth with tap water.

Treatment of drinking water