Tap water

Question

Hello,

In one of the questions [please refer to “Calcium in connection with antibiotics”] the expert recommends taking certain antibiotics with tap water.

This confused me a bit because I actually have avoided tap water up to now.
Can I really drink tap water without hesitation?

This way I would get in contact with non-boiled water and this would mean, in reverse, that I do not have to boil the water for the nasal wash (nasal douche) before using it either – I mean the oral mucosa and the nose are pretty close to each other, right?

What is the official meaning?

Answer

Hello,

With regard to the tap water in Germany [the original question was asked in the local German expert advice] it can be said that the water which leaves the waterworks is germfree. However, the way from the waterworks to the sink is long and the water pipes are not always clean, especially if the water does not flow very often. The water that first leaves the tap after it was opened can also contain some germs because germs can be located at the tap itself.

Usually, some germs are not very problematic if we the drink the water because they are swallowed and then eliminated quickly by the gastric acid in the stomach.

With respect to the nasal wash it is different because also few germs can deposit at the nasal mucosa and stay there. Therefore, I would continue boiling the water for the nasal wash.

[The following information refers to Germany]: You can drink the tap water if you let it run for a while and if you know that the pipes in the house are clean.

Best regards,
Prof. Dr. Joachim Bargon

14.09.2010