The European continent has enormous tourism potential, not only in its best-known and most touristic countries such as Italy, France, or Spain, but also in its more confidential and further eastern countries, such as Lithuania, Kosovo, Montenegro, or Bulgaria. However, not all standards of living, safety, and hygiene are the same among these countries and in some countries, precautions need to be taken, particularly with regard to the drinkability of tap water.
These 14 countries in Europe where tap water is not drinkable
According to a 2019 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control or CDC responsible for disease prevention and control, tap water is not safe to drink in 187 countries around the world. In Europe, there are 14 countries whose tap water should not be drunk at the risk of contracting a potentially dangerous waterborne disease.
Among these countries, there are surprisingly some who have an image of a rather developed country and rising almost to the level of the countries of the European Union. For example, tap water should be avoided from Lithuania, the Faroe Islands, Turkey, Albania, Cyprus, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Georgia, Serbia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Kosovo.
It is strongly recommended that travelers and tourists who travel to or stay in these countries buy bottled mineral water to avoid the risks involved in drinking tap water, which is generally undrinkable in these countries.
Beyond drinking water, other precautions must be taken in these countries. In cafes, bars, and restaurants, for example, beware of ice cubes that are usually made with tap water. The WHO recommends "being wary of all food and beverages, including those served in quality hotels and restaurants, in order to minimize the risk of contracting foodborne or waterborne illness". These precautions should not be limited to poor countries alone, but everywhere, because, according to the WHO, "hygiene can leave something to be desired anywhere".
In case of the unavailability of bottled mineral water, it is advisable to drink tap water from these countries only after it has been properly treated. This can be done with purifying tablets sold in pharmacies or online, or with carbon filters. Boil water before drinking it is also recommended, although this method only protects against infectious agents, as boiling does not remove chemical pollutants.
What are the risks?
Consuming unsafe drinking water, from a tap or any other source, carries potentially serious health risks that can even lead to death. These risks are of two types: infectious diseases and diseases caused by chemical contaminants.
Infectious diseases transmitted by drinking water are due to bacteria that can cause more or less serious infections such as gastroenteritis, which can be acute or not, and certain complications of this disease such as dyspepsia. The infection can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, hemolytic uremic syndrome, or reactive arthritis. Contaminated water can also cause more serious illnesses such as hepatitis A or E, stomach cancer (long-term), and ulcers.
More serious diseases, but rare in Europe, can be transmitted by water, such as cholera, malaria, dysentery, salmonellosis, or typhoid.
Diseases due to chemical water pollution are caused by pesticides and certain elements such as lead or arsenic present in unsafe water. These pollutants can cause various diseases, sometimes serious, such as cancers in people who consume them for a prolonged period of time.
For tourists who consume non-potable tap water, the risks consist of acute infections and rapid-onset diseases, as their exposure to infectious agents and pollutants contained in the water is brief.
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