Korean Job Discussion Forums

[camel96]

Just curious as to how many people here drink the tap water.
Many Koreans I've met avoid the stuff like the plague. I often boil it and don't seem to have any problems. I'm curious though if anyone has gotten sick (cholera, giardia or any of those other nasties)
Probably should make this into a poll.

[peppermint]

Water quality varies greatly from one area to another. I wouldn't drink it in Seoul, but I have drank it in Cheong Ju with out any problems. I don't reccomend it, because the taste isn't good, though.Very. . .hard

I've noticed many Korean people have no issues drinking from the open fountains that you sometimes see in the mountains. I've drank form those too, and they usually taste okay

[makushi]

Delivered bottled water is soooo cheap and the water purifiers are also quite reasonable...so why drink tap?

Also, boiling only makes it worse...the micro-organisms aren't the problem...it's the rust in the pipes...boiling it just makes it more toxic...or so I've been told.

[posco's trumpet]

[Alkiwi]

last time I lived in Korea a friend of mine was drinking the tapwater and raving how good it was and that she was saving money ........ needless to say a few months down the track she got really sick and the doctor said it was the water. Myself, well I drink bottled but brush my teeth and cook etc with tap - no point getting too paranoid now.

[William Beckerson]

NO WAY IN HELL!

[camel96]

Hey William,
There is however a theory that drinking the tap water here will make you grow a third ear...on your back. Still can't be swayed????

[canuckistan]

I've had giardia at least three times from washing vegetables/brushing my teeth with tap water in Seoul. It's not fun when you're in the middle of a class.

[rapier]

I had a cat last year, she got very sick drinking tapwater out of the sink.
A water purifier solved the problem.
I hear the tap water's more dangerous in the summer, when warm temperatures cause bacteria in the water to multiply faster.. however its probably still dangerous in winter..
I've drunk plenty of tap water without getting sick, but large quantities, every day, over time, is probably asking for trouble..

[Bulsajo]

[makushi]

[camel96]

So you guys don't even use tap water in coffee or tea?????

[little mixed girl]

.....

[makushi]

[crazylemongirl]

I avoid tap water like the plague.

I worry about my teeth here (even with brushing) as I used to live near a water floridation plant back home and so I haven't had any problems with my teeth. Hmm maybe I should brush my teeth more often.

CLG