Water

[karenfromcali]

Years ago when I went to Spain I was advised not to drink any of the water and to use bottled water to brush teeth etc as our systems would not be used to the local bacteria. Does this still stand? Or was it overkill?
Thanks,
karen

 

[dougfitz]

I think it's overkill. If water is non-potable, the font is so marked. I found one font marked 'non purificado' or something similar, where you might decide not to use the water. If you carry water treatment tablets, you could use them, but my experience was that I didn't need to use them at all on the CF.

 

[Thengel1]

The water is fine, I drank it a fair bit in the first two weeks of my camino without incident. (The only reason I drank less of it after that was that developing an "addiction" to sparkling mineral water. )

 

[karenfromcali]

Thank you. One less thing to have to carry

 

[whariwharangi]

Tap water in Spain is safe. Unless otherwise marked, even the fountains dispense good water. No need to purify any of it.

I found the water in cities to have a strong chemical flavour ... I prefered the water obtained in the villages and dumped city water at first oppourtunity.

Its amazing when considering how constricted water supplies are in some areas.

 

[MendiWalker]

As Whariwharangi says the water here is safe. Water fountains all over Spain as well as the Camino are safe unless stated by a sign saying " No Potable" it may say "No Tratada" which means it has no chemical treatment. Usually it´s good but may give you the runs if not used to it.

Buen Camino!

 

[Caplen]

What about water along the Via de la Plata? I know fountain water is perfectly safe, but I've heard the fountains on the VdlP are fewer and farther between, as are villages/bars. And since the terrain is so open and unshaded, I'm concerned about running low.

Are there streams still flowing in May/June? I'm considering bringing a SteriPen for water treatment if wild water is an option.

 

[whariwharangi]

What about water along the Via de la Plata? I know fountain water is perfectly safe, but I've heard the fountains on the VdlP are fewer and farther between, as are villages/bars. And since the terrain is so open and unshaded, I'm concerned about running low.

Are there streams still flowing in May/June? I'm considering bringing a SteriPen for water treatment if wild water is an option.

I have not walked the Via de la Plata so I do not know if surface water sources can be relied on. Perhaps the question would be better posed on a separate thread and under the topic of Via de la Plata.

I own a MIOX water purifier. I would be confident of using it in a wilderness area. I'm not sure its intended for treating "wild" water downstream from industrial sources such as farms or villages or even runoff from a road and I would not have the same confidence as in wilderness areas. Perhaps it would be wise to consult with the manufacturer of your Steripen.

 

[Bajaracer]

Years ago when I went to Spain I was advised not to drink any of the water and to use bottled water to brush teeth etc as our systems would not be used to the local bacteria. Does this still stand? Or was it overkill?
Thanks,
karen

If you want buy bottled water in the supermercados, it is actually cheaper than buying it in the US. A 1.5L bottle is 45-55 cents euro and the small 1/2 liter bottles are around 20-25 cents euro, the tiendas will be more and the cold ones as well.

 

[Caplen]

If you want buy bottled water in the supermercados, it is actually cheaper than buying it in the US. A 1.5L bottle is 45-55 cents euro and the small 1/2 liter bottles are around 20-25 cents euro, the tiendas will be more and the cold ones as well.

But that would be really wasteful and unnecessary! All those throwaway plastic bottles for no reason.....

Spanish tap/fountain water is just fine. It's not Mexico. I didn't have any stomach problems on either of my Caminos, and never encountered anyone who did.

 

[Bajaracer]

But that would be really wasteful and unnecessary! All those throwaway plastic bottles for no reason.....

Spanish tap/fountain water is just fine. It's not Mexico. I didn't have any stomach problems on either of my Caminos, and never encountered anyone who did.

I never have issues with water in Mexico, the only nasty tasting water on the Camino was in the bigger cities.