For context, I live in Hong Kong where most people drink tap water after boiling first. Some may install water filter but may still boil the water. Very few drink bottle water unless they're outside and too lazy to bring their own bottles.
Now, I'm researching whether I can drink tap water in Iceland (I'm going there in August), and while it looks like the answer is affirmative, almost no web article mention whether I need to boil the water first. People in Japan (a country I've visited a few times) also seems to be used to drink tap water directly without boiling.
The further I searched, the more it seems to me that in developed countries (like US, Canada and the above examples), tap water is safe to drink directly. Is that true? Do you drink tap water without boiling?
It sounds like a stupid question but I just can't believe what I saw. I think I experienced a cultural shock.
Edit: wow, thanks so much for the responses and sorry if I didnt reply to each one of you but I'll upvote as much as as I can. Never thought so many would reply and Lemmy is a really great community.
2nd Edit: So in conclusion, people from everywhere basically just drink water straight out of tap. And to my surprise, I checked the Water Supplies Department website and notice it asserts that tap water in Hong Kong is potable, like many well-developed countries and regions.
However, as the majority of Hong Kong people are living in high-rise buildings, a small amount of residual chlorine is maintained in the water to keep it free from bacterial infection during its journey in the distribution system. Therefore it is recommended to boil the water so that chlorine dissipates.
So, in short, I actually do not need to boil the water unless I hate chlorine smell and taste. But I guess I'll just continue this old habit/tradition as there's no harm in doing so.
Most people I know of don't drink from tap water here at all, boiled or not.
Edit: I forgot to share where I'm at lol (Indonesia)
Where is “here”?
Here, at Lemmys.
We raw dog water straight from the tap. All night long. Anything goes at Lemmy’s.
I grew up with a water cooler so it just felt natural to continue.
A location might be useful.
I’m many countries, it’s considered rude to ask for tap water when you are out to eat. You’ll get a bottle of water. At home, though, most people just drink filtered water.
That is because bottle of water are overpriced in restaurants, as are all drinks. So this is their way of making money when the meal alone isn’t enough for them to be profitable. I don’t like this, they should charge the meal what they need. In France they are required by law to provide free tap water when requested.
Fuck that, if I'm in a place where tap water is safe there's no way I'm buying this overpriced, wasteful shit.
In some places outside of the US you get charged for still (aka tap) water
Here too!