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RyonW
Joined: 15 Nov 2010 Location: East Coast USA
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:28 pm Post subject: Don't Drink the Water? |
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I have read in a few places that you can not drink the water in Korea and that you should buy bottled water. Is this true?? If true why can't you drink the water, is it pollution or is it microbes? Will a "Brita" filter be all that you need? Do they sell them there? Thanks for the info in advance. |
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freddy teacher
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Im not sure about other places in Korea, but i know in Seoul, the government says the water is fine. However, people still choose to buy filters and those water purifiers.
I dont think the water is necessarily contaminated, but i believe there is a high concentration of metals in it.
Personally, I had a water filter under my sink and i still didnt drink the water. Water here is so cheap that it shouldnt be an issue to just buy it all the time.
I did cook with boiled tap water, i just didnt drink it... |
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crossmr

Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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I use a brita, no problems. When I moved into the new place almost 2 years ago someone from the government seemed to automatically come around and test your tap water for you. It tested safe. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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I drink it. |
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murmanjake

Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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RyonW
Joined: 15 Nov 2010 Location: East Coast USA
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:17 pm Post subject: Thanks for the replys |
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I use a brita here in the states so will do the same there. Cheers |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:50 am Post subject: |
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In the past, you couldn't drink the water. I think water treatment started coming on-line in the 1980's and 1990's. But, it was sketchy and there were probably heavy metals in some of the water. Maybe, in the 2000's, water started to match Western standards. It's safe to drink now, but there is a heavy chlorine taste. Also, think of older buildings and older pipes that are still around. You should be fine drinking it, but I choose bottled water because of a better taste. I use the tap water for cooking, showering, washing my dishes, and brushing my teeth. Even in the most rural place, the water will be treated. If you can handle the chlorine taste, then drink up. But be wary if you go to other Asian countries, except for Japan. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:52 am Post subject: |
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Weigookin74 wrote: |
But be wary if you go to other Asian countries, except for Japan. |
Singapore is also okay. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:30 am Post subject: |
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northway wrote: |
Weigookin74 wrote: |
But be wary if you go to other Asian countries, except for Japan. |
Singapore is also okay. |
Ok,I should mention all developed countries. Ha ha. Probably Taiwan and maybe Hong Kong too? But, Hong Kong gets its water from China? Not sure. |
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ajuma

Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:05 am Post subject: |
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One guy in our semi-rural apartment complex brought back a water test kit from Canada and the water in our building tested better than the water in Canada!! Go figure! |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:26 am Post subject: |
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Weigookin74 wrote: |
northway wrote: |
Weigookin74 wrote: |
But be wary if you go to other Asian countries, except for Japan. |
Singapore is also okay. |
Ok,I should mention all developed countries. Ha ha. Probably Taiwan and maybe Hong Kong too? But, Hong Kong gets its water from China? Not sure. |
I would think Taiwan is okay, but I've never heard of anyone there drinking the water, Taipei or no, and that includes both locals and expats. Hong Kong is way too close to Shenzhen for comfort. |
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jvalmer

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:06 am Post subject: |
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I don't even drink the tap water in Canada. |
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Space Cowboy
Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Location: On the blessed hellride
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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jvalmer wrote: |
I don't even drink the tap water in Canada. |
For jvalmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfPAjUvvnIc
I agree that the tap water here has a strong chlorine flavor, so I use a Brita (available at Costco). However, I cook with it and put it straight into my electric kettle. It's perfectly safe. |
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jvalmer

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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Space Cowboy wrote: |
jvalmer wrote: |
I don't even drink the tap water in Canada. |
For jvalmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfPAjUvvnIc
I agree that the tap water here has a strong chlorine flavor, so I use a Brita (available at Costco). However, I cook with it and put it straight into my electric kettle. It's perfectly safe. |
With the couple of incidents of officials delaying information on tainted water in Alberta and Ontario, I don't think I can trust tap water again. |
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hallazgo
Joined: 22 Oct 2010
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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I drink it. Have been for 4 years. And the heavy metals that are supposedly in it have only made me half as crazy as they should have...or maybe that's just Korea making me crazy |
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