Can You Drink The Water in Phuket – Water Safety Tips

by Mama Loves Phuket

One thing you will notice in Phuket is bottled water everywhere, which goes hand in hand with a huge amount of seemingly impossible-to-control plastic waste.

So why is everyone drinking bottled water in Thailand? Is it really necessary?

Drinking tap water in Phuket or anywhere else in Thailand is generally not recommended. The tap water in Phuket may be contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause stomach upset or illness. Tourists need to be cautious about the food and water they consume to avoid getting sick during their trip.

Whilst there are water treatment plants in Phuket and the PPWA (Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority) claims water leaving the treatment plants IS safe, it’s about what happens from the treatment plant to your tap. Pipes can be cracked and broken, leaking contaminants into the water supply.

Drinking Bottled Water in Phuket

Bottled water is widely available in Phuket and is considered safe to drink. It’s a good idea for tourists to purchase bottled water from a reputable source and to check that the seal on the bottle is intact before drinking. Many restaurants and hotels also provide free bottled water to guests.

In addition to drinking bottled water, tourists can take other precautions to avoid getting sick from contaminated water. This includes avoiding ice cubes in drinks, brushing teeth with bottled water, and avoiding swimming in bodies of water that may be contaminated.

Overall, while tap water in Phuket is unsafe to drink, tourists can easily find alternatives and take other precautions to stay healthy during their trip to Thailand.

Alternative to Plastic Drink Bottles – Using Water Sterilisation Methods in Phuket

If, like us, you see just how wasteful the amount of plastic can be in Thailand, particularly if you are sticking around for several weeks or months, there are alternatives to treat tap water in Phuket and make it drinkable.

Boling Tap Water

If you have an apartment or villa, this can be a good option, as boiling tap water is an effective way to kill most bacteria and parasites. Bring water to the boil for at least one minute, and then allow it to cool before drinking.

Water purification tablets

You can purchase water purification tablets from pharmacies or outdoor supply stores. Follow the instructions on the package to properly use the tablets and make the tap water safe for consumption.

Water sterilization pens

Water sterilization pens use UV light to treat water. Simply immerse the pen in a glass or bottle of tap water and stir it for the recommended time as per the instructions.

LifeStraw Water Bottle

The microfiltration membrane in a LifeStraw bottle removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and microplastics, making it a small and reliable drinking water solution for travellers, capable of processing up to 4000 litres of drinking water.

More Phuket Health and Safety Tips

To make your trip to Phuket as safe as possible for you and your family, you may also like to read next:


Phuket Essential Planning Tips - Click Here to Learn More Graphic

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© Mama Loves Phuket 2024

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