Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beentheredonethat777]

Do you think it is safe to drink the water from the faucet?
My university students(conversation class) had a class debate today. Most of them said they've
always drank the water straight from the sink and that it was safe and good.

I was surprised. I have been buying bottled water for many years now.

Anyone want to chime in. I would love to save some more won if possible.

[sligo]

i boil the tap water for 20 mins on a rolling boil. No problems. about 4 years ago Busan had a "drink tap water campaign" I'm not sure if people partook.

[IPayInCash]

I drank it all the time my first three years in Korea and the only reason I dont now is because I go to Costco and its so cheap there.

Never any probelms. This is Korea not Mexico.

[jdog2050]

The tap water is fine, just over chlorinated, that's all. It's safe to drink but pretty bad tasting. Get a decent on-tap filter and you're good.

[jvalmer]

I don't drink tap water anywhere. Not Korea, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Uganda...

[augustine]

[beentheredonethat777]

[Weigookin74]

Can you actually buy a filter that fits on the tap in Korea? I've never seen them, but maybe I'm not looking in the right place.

[NohopeSeriously]

I drink tap water in the form of weak black tea. I prefer loose tea leaves from Assam India since it is more bitter.

[CrikeyKorea]

There are I believe three levels of tap water, don't drink (okay for washing/cooking), drink if boiled, safe to drink. Every house would have been inspected and issued with the level. mine used to be drink if boiled because the connecting pipes were crap, but they have since replaced them and now I can apparently drink it straight from the tap. If in doubt request an inspector to come and check.

[CrikeyKorea]

There are I believe three levels of tap water, don't drink (okay for washing/cooking), drink if boiled, safe to drink. Every house would have been inspected and issued with the level. mine used to be drink if boiled because the connecting pipes were crap, but they have since replaced them and now I can apparently drink it straight from the tap. If in doubt request an inspector to come and check.

[Drew345]

I'd love to make the switch to tap water %100 as bottled water is supposed to be one of the worst culprits for environmental destruction (not just plastic, but the transportation issues). Still, it is hard to make the sacrifice.
I use tap water for anything boiled like coffee or tea and bottled water for drinking strait. I really should just make the switch back to tap water (like when I grew up) for the environment. I'll ask a friend to check on my buildings last inspection.

[Lazio]

[Threequalseven]

A Korean friend told me the water itself is fine, but the heavy metals from the pipes are what contaminate it. I don't think this can get boiled out, as boiling just kills bacteria.

[javis]