When traveling, you will most likely instinctively reach for bottled water, unsure about the quality of the one flowing from the taps. Water safety is one of the most common yet often overlooked concerns when traveling, but is this precaution always necessary? Read on to learn the naked truth behind drinking hotel tap water. Is it really safe?
Local Water Quality Standards
In most developed countries, tap water must meet rigorous safety standards and is, in general, safe to drink. However, in some regions, inadequate treatment facilities, contamination, or outdated infrastructure compromise the local water quality. Let’s see the overviews of water quality standards in different parts of the world!
Regulating public water systems in the USA is the job of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for different contaminants – microorganisms, disinfectants, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides. Water suppliers must regularly test their water and report the results.
The Drinking Water Directive in the European Union sets quality standards for water purposeful for human consumption. It establishes limits for microbiological, chemical, and indicator parameters. Member states of the European Union must ensure and regularly monitor the water standards so they can promptly address any non-compliance.
Health Canada sets the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, which are actually very similar to the EPA’s standard. They cover a broad range of contaminants. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) sets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which provide a framework for managing drinking water quality, focusing on the protection of public health.
On the other note, many developing countries face challenges in maintaining high water quality standards due to limited resources, outdated infrastructure, and insufficient regulatory frameworks. That’s why contamination from industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sewage treatment is super common. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF work with developing countries to solve these problems.
Microbiological contaminants are, unsurprisingly, primary concerns, as they cause gastrointestinal illnesses. The most common are bacteria like E.coli, viruses like norovirus, and protozoa (e.g., Giardia and Cryptosporidium). Because of poor water filtration systems, chemical contaminants are day-to-day problems, as well.
They include heavy metals (lead and arsenic in the first row), pesticides, nitrates, and industrial chemicals. Long-term exposure actually leads to serious health issues, from cancer, liver, and kidney damage, to developmental problems in children. Physical contaminants aren’t as dangerous as, but sediment, organic material, and particulate matter affect both water clarity and quality.
The most dangerous are definitely radiological contaminants that are usually a result of industrial activity, but they can actually occur naturally, as well. Radon and uranium are the most common, and they pose long-term health risks.
Developed countries require water suppliers to conduct regular testing and report results to regulatory bodies. This includes daily, weekly, monthly, or annual testing depending on the contaminant. Also, many countries mandate that water quality reports are available to public, so you can check it out any time.
Of course, there are several factors that affect water quality, starting from the source to climate. The quality is different whether it comes from rivers, lakes, or groundwater. It is also important to have protected and clean fount because that automatically reduces the need for extensive treatments.
Something you can’t really prevent or predict is climate and environmental catastrophes, like heavy rain or floods. They lead to runoff and contaminate water sources, so the water can usually turn muddy, smelly, or discolorated, in the best case.
Hotel Plumbing
Pipe material and aged plumbing play a huge role in water quality. Newer plumbing systems use materials like copper, PEX, or PVC that are less likely to leak harmful substances into the water. On the other side, older hotels often have pipes made from materials like lead or galvanized steel that corrode over time and release dangerous contaminants into the water.
To be completely safe, regular inspections and maintenance of plumbing systems are a must, as they work to prevent leaks, corrosion, and contamination. Unfortunately, low-budget hotels don’t always follow these rules. Also, routine flushing of pipes removes sediments and contaminants that accumulate over time.
The next vital thing is water pressure. Adequate pressure prevents backflow, where contaminated water flows backward into the clean water supply. Low pressure creates a vacuum effect, allowing contaminants from sinks and toilets to enter water systems.
Proper pressure blocks cross-contamination of potable and non-potable water systems, as well. For instance, swimming pools must be completely isolated to prevent this. High flow rates prevent water from stagnating in pipes, too, which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, including Legionella – the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease.
Stagnant water is an ideal environment where bacteria multiply! Slow-moving water encourages the formation of biofilm on the interior surfaces of pipes. Biofilms harbor harmful bacteria and protect them from disinfectants, posing a huge health risk.
Proper water pressure is pivotal for effective disinfection. It ensures that disinfectants, such as chlorine, are evenly distributed throughout the plumbing system. Sufficient flow rates maintain the necessary contact time between water and disinfectants, effectively inactivating the pathogens.
Temperature control is a big deal, too, as Legionella, for example, thrives in warm, stagnant water. That’s why properly maintained hot water systems are chief for storing and distributing water at safe temperatures to block bacterial development.
Last but not least, regularly cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks prevents contamination very well. They also need to be well sealed, as that blocks any contamination from external sources (e.g., dead animals).
The three most common plumbing issues are lead contamination, corrosion, and biofilm formation. Lead can drain into water from old pipes, solder, or fixtures, which are still common in old, unrenovated hotels. Even low levels of it are harmful, particularly to children and pregnant women.
The same stands for corrosion, as it releases toxic metals into the water. The good thing is, besides corrosion-resistant materials, there are corrosion inhibitors, as well, that do a great job of prevention. To suppress biofilm from formation, regular cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance is the key!
Hotel Filtration Systems
Many hotels, especially higher-end ones, invest in additional filtration systems to ensure safety and quality of their water supply. They usually involve some of these three systems: carbon filters, reverse osmosis, or UV treatment. Carbon filters work amazing job in removing chlorine, sediment, and some volatile organic compounds.
Reverse osmosis is superb for getting rid of a wide range of contaminants involving heavy metals and bacteria. UV treatment utilizes ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses very effectively.
Official Recommendations
Hotels in areas with well-known water quality issues will (almost always) provide bottled water for drinking and advise against using tap water for consumption. It’s not rare to see signs in the bathroom, as well as information at check-in. Also, always check local health advisories before traveling.
Government health departments or travel advisors often provide information on water safety for specific regions. You will be able to find all the recommendations needed on the internet for many areas all over the world.
Practical Recommendations
If in doubt, ALWAYS use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice. Better safe than sorry! Portable water filters and purification tablets are becoming more and more popular. LifeStraw is good option for portable water filter that removes bacteria and parasites.
Steripen is an UV water purifier that disinfect water in a matter of seconds! Chemical tablets, famous as water purification tablets, purify water by killing bacteria. These are all awesome options, especially when you travellng to remote areas.
Boiling water is nothing fancy, but it can actually kill most pathogens and make it safe to drink. Just make sure to boil it for at least one minute!
Hotel Recommendations
Here is a list of some reputable hotel chains and specific hotels in various regions where tap water is generally safe to consume:
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- Marriot International
- Hyatt Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
- The Ritz-Carlton
- Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
- Kempinski Hoteös
- Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
- Dofitel Hotels & Resorts
- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
- Accor Hotels
- Radisson Hotel Group
- Rydges Hotels & Resorts
- Quest Apartment Hotels
- The Peninsula Hotels
- Conrad Hotels & Resorts
- JW Marriott
- Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
- Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
- Pullman Hotels and Resorts
- Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
- Park Hyatt
Lotte Hotels & Resorts
Tap Water Safety in Different Hotel Classes
The safety of tap water varies heavily based on the class of the hotel:
Luxury Hotels
These hotels have advanced filtration systems, plus regular testing, monitoring, and well-maintained plumbing. They also provide in-house water treatment. Examples include Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and St. Regis.
Mid-Range Hotels
They have basic filtration systems with decent plumbing infrastructure, while periodically testing and maintaining water quality. Thus, they rely on the local municipal water supply. Some examples are Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn.
Budget Hotels
Limited filtration systems, infrequent testing and maintenance are typical. These hotels have older plumbing systems, and staff usually advise guests to use bottled water. Examples are Motel 6, Super 8, and Travelodge.
