New guidance has warned that holidaymakers should avoid one drink at all costs while on holiday this summer
The summer holidays have arrived, and families are embarking on globe-trotting adventures for some well-deserved breaks. But there’s one beverage you ought to steer clear of during your getaway, as it may leave you feeling rather poorly.
Fresh advice is warning holidaymakers against consuming water directly from hotel bathroom taps. Brian Toward, chief executive of UK bathroom supplier Wholesale Domestic, reveals that countless tourists remain oblivious to the potential hazards of sipping tap water straight from hotel bathrooms.
Numerous accommodations feature antiquated plumbing networks that may deliver inferior water quality compared to what you’d expect back home. Some vintage establishments still even have lead piping throughout their structures.
“If you’re staying at a hotel, it’s a good idea to avoid drinking from the bathroom tap if you can,” advises Brian.
“It might be tempting, especially if there’s no other tap in the room, but it’s better to grab a few bottles of water during your stay, especially if the hotel is older and might still have old lead pipes.”
Despite potentially holidaying in destinations with pristine water supplies, Brian cautions that numerous hotels continue to depend on massive rooftop or loft water reservoirs to service guest bathrooms.
Although these containers are generally refilled regularly, they may present contamination dangers if maintenance standards slip.
Should the water within these reservoirs become stagnant, it risks collecting limescale deposits, harmful bacteria, and even fragments from the storage unit itself.
Brian further explained: “The less frequently the water in the tank is refreshed, the more likely it is to pick up some contaminants along the way and if hotels still have old pipes, stagnant water is more likely to absorb lead and other metals, making it even more risky.”
He also emphasised that simply boiling the water in a kettle isn’t a foolproof solution.
He stated: “A common belief is that boiling tap water makes it safe to drink, which is somewhat true, but it’s important to note that doing so does not entirely eliminate the risk of chemical contamination or debris.
“While boiling tap water for 15 minutes will remove trace amounts of chlorine, and studies have shown that it can also remove up to 90% of microplastics in the water, this will not help if your water has been contaminated by lead.”