Broadland W

You have a good point, the old systems are gradually being replaced, the 18 dead sparrows though were actually in a large secondary school about five years ago. Yuck!!

It is safe to drink tap water before boiling it. Period.

Edit - mis read post

12 is right.

I have been drinking London tap (Thames Water) all my life – shouldn’t I be dead by now?

However, if you are that concerned why not bring or buy a water filter jug like a Brita http: http://www.brita.net/uk/jugs.html?&L=1

I've been drinking water straight from the tap in London for years and never had any problem.

I haven't drunk 'tank' water for years, since a relative found that she had a dead squirrel in her attic tank - she only found out when bits of squirrel started coming out of the taps which was pretty gross.

However, this is certainly unusual and of course London tap water is perfectly safe normally. I've never, ever heard of anybody getting ill from drinking it (not even my relatives during that incident).

I don't believe hotels are allowed to use tank water any more unless they put a big sign by the sink informing that the water is not drinkable. In the absence of such a sign, you can be pretty confident the water is good to drink.

Hmmm... water that comes out of the kitchen tap is normally fed from the same supply that feeds the bathroom and even the toilet and bath so theoretically you can drink out of the toilet cistern with no ill effects.

MachChub it seems that from your other posts all you seem to worry about is your safetey. I suppose you think that it is a reasonable question to ask about drinking the local water. I guess if someone was going to Singapore and was fairly ignorant about what a modern city it is that they might ask the same question there.

International travel can be duanting but there is absolutely minimal risk drinking tapwater in the uk.

Please do not patronise MachChub for asking a simple question. As this person is from Singapore, I imagine he / she is similar to others in Far Eastern cultures where they will always boil water before drinking it and believe it is not safe to drink water which isn't boiled first, even in their own country.

England isn't quite like places like India, where it is recommended to drink bottled water, but don't shoot someone down for asking this question still. Someone travelling away from their home country may not be used to the water there, and it can be a concern.

Bottom line: Yes, it is safe unless you may be in a dodgy hotel. But if you are really concerned, buy bottled water. And ignore the silly responses in this post and only pay attention to those with helpful and sensible answers.

"Far Eastern cultures where they will always boil water before drinking it and believe it is not safe to drink water which isn't boiled first"

Do not patronise everyone in the far east with your inaccurate assumptions