Drinking tap water at remote highland homestays

Asked about 9 hours agoViewed 1072 times
J
Jack W.2395 rep2
asked about 9 hours ago

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.

12
asked about 9 hours ago
J
Jack W.2395 rep2

7 Answers

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?)".

38
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answered about 8 hours ago
R
Ruwan P.2580 rep1

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

30
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answered about 8 hours ago
J
Jack W.2395 rep2

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

27
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answered about 8 hours ago
N
Nimali D.2690 rep1

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

19
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answered about 8 hours ago
S
Sophie T.3615 rep2

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

19
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answered about 8 hours ago
R
Ruwan P.2580 rep1

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

11
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answered about 7 hours ago
N
Nimali D.2690 rep1

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

4
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answered about 8 hours ago
S
Sophie T.3615 rep2

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