Holidaymakers are warned to be wary of water as summer trips return
Whether staycationing or jetting to sunnier climes, this summer is set to see a boom in Brits heading away after a two-year holiday hiatus. However, public health experts NSF are warning of an invisible threat to holidaymakers - water-borne bacteria.
With travellers so keen to get away, it would be easy to overlook basic health precautions when travelling. It’s important to stay on the right side of caution when it comes to health risks. And after such an extended period with low to no travel, hotels and their water supplies now pose a significant risk to travellers, something many aren’t aware of. Water and good hydration are essential, but there is a real risk from potentially lethal bacteria that can thrive in stagnant water, such as in unused hotel pipes. Add to that a build-up of germs and varying international standards of filtration, and you can see why travellers must be water-smart to ensure they can enjoy prettier sights than their hotel bathroom!
Jérôme Logie, Global Marketing Director of the Water Division at NSF
To help travellers stay safe this summer, NSF offers easy-to-follow tips - shining a light on the most common, invisible dangers lurking in our water.
Top Tips for Staying Safe this Summer
Don’t trust the tap water in your hotel bathroom
No matter how desperate you are for a cool drink of water in the middle of the night, do not resort to drinking from the bathroom tap!
Hotel plumbing is a potential breeding ground for harmful microorganisms such E.Coli, as water in unoccupied hotel rooms can remain stagnant in pipes for days, weeks or even months. After almost two years with limited travel opportunities, those heading away this summer should be particularly wary.
Take a look at the hotel’s occupancy rate – the busier it is, the more likely that your room will have been recently used, and any stagnant water will have dispersed.
Hot = good
Many hotels heat their water to 55 degrees+ to kill any micro-organisms that might be present – which is why you will often encounter ‘Warning: hot water!’ signs! Whilst you might be seeking a cooldown, this hot water will be much better for your holiday enjoyment overall.
In larger resorts and hotel chains, companies have their own corporate standards for water management, and some even have water treatment facilities on-site to ensure quality, so the absence of a hot water warning sign shouldn’t be a red flag… so long as you exercise your own caution.
A jug of water for the table? No thanks!
The quality of tap water in different countries around the world depends on the source and local filtration standards. Europe has a very good safety record for water, thanks to the Drinking Water Directive that has been in place since the early 1990s. However, the further afield you travel, the more likely you are to encounter issues from poor quality distribution networks to substandard quality repairs – particularly for those travelling to less developed countries.
To avoid encountering any water woes, play it safe and make simple switches such as asking for bottled soft drinks rather than a jug of water to accompany a meal. Also consider asking for drinks with no ice and steer clear of washed salads.
Bottled is best
Keeping hydrated in warm weather is essential, and there is no better way than with a trusty bottle of mineral water.
This logic applies to all drinks: a bottled or canned beverage direct from the manufacturer poses the lowest risk. Anything created by a hotel or restaurant, such as a post-mix soda, could be using local water sources, which might not agree with your stomach even though they are clean and safe for drinking.
Making a cuppa in your hotel room? Use bottled water for that too… we’ve already established that hotel water isn’t the finest!
Chlorine isn’t just in the swimming pool
Using chlorine to maintain the cleanliness of pool water has been an accepted method for many years, both at home and abroad. But you may not be aware that many countries also treat their drinking water with disinfectants such as chlorine.
Chlorinated drinking water is safe to drink, so long as it is dosed correctly.
If it’s cloudy, it’s contaminated…
Detecting bacteria in clear water is impossible but never, ever drink cloudy water!
If you are travelling to a remote location where bottled water is not available, certified devices and equipment can be used. For example:
- Light strobes can kill bacteria
- Portable filters can be used to remove heavy metals, as well as bacteria
- Chlorine pills, although not perfect, can be a convenient way to make drinking water safer
Notes to editors
About NSF
NSF is an independent, global organization that facilitates standards development to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. With operations in 180 countries, NSF tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences, and consumer goods industries. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. NSF is a Pan American Health Organization and a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Water Quality, Food Safety, and Medical Device Safety.