In developed countries, clean drinking water is available right out of the tap and breakdowns in the system are rare. Developing countries, however, don't always have the resources needed to ensure a pure water supply, and consequently tap water is usually not safe to drink. Even if the people who live there can drink the water, travelers should not assume that they can. Local residents have built up immunity to organisms in the water, but visitors have not. As a result, tap water can make travelers sick.

When traveling through areas with less than adequate sanitation or with water sources of unknown purity, travelers can reduce the chance of illness by following basic precautions.

What To Do

- Drink sealed bottled water or chemically treated, filtered, or boiled water for drinking. Water boiled for any length of time (even 1 minute), at any altitude, is safe to drink.
- Drink canned, boxed, or commercially bottled carbonated water and drinks. International brands are safest. Beware of unsealed containers that may have been re-filled.
- Carry a bottle of water with you if you are going out for the day and where availability of safe water is not assured.

What To Avoid

- Do not drink tap water.
- Do not use ice unless it is made from boiled, bottled, or purified water. Freezing does not kill the organisms that cause diarrhea.
- Do not drink from wet cans or bottles. The water on them may be contaminated. Dry wet cans/bottles before opening and clean all surfaces that will have contact with the mouth.