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Drinking tap water at remote highland homestays

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J
Jack W.•16780 rep•2

We are staying at a very remote homestay in the hills above Haputale. They offered us water from a jug. Is the highland tap water safe to drink.

34
tea-countryaccommodationsafety

7 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Do not drink straight tap water anywhere in Sri Lanka. However, homestay hosts know this. If they offer you a jug of water on the dining table, it is almost certainly water they have boiled vigorously and allowed to cool. Boiled water is 100% safe. If you are unsure, politely ask "Is this boiled water? (Kekum wathurada?)".

12
R
Ruwan P.•6900 rep•1

What about brushing our teeth. Do we need bottled water for that.

49
J
Jack W.•16780 rep•2

Highland water comes from pure mountain springs, so it is much cleaner than Colombo water, but still, boil it.

45
N
Nimali D.•6770 rep•1

Bring a LifeStraw or a Lifestraw bottle if you are really paranoid. I used one for all my tap water.

35
S
Sophie T.•7635 rep•2

Brushing your teeth with tap water is generally fine, just do not swallow it.

27
R
Ruwan P.•6900 rep•1

If you still feel nervous, just ask for hot black tea. They boil the water for that right in front of you.

23
N
Nimali D.•6770 rep•1

I drank the boiled water at all my homestays and never had a stomach issue once.

22
S
Sophie T.•7635 rep•2

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