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Travelling to France soon or a resident there? Regardless of your response, you may have thought for years that wine was the preferred drink of the French, but strangely, this is not the case.
If you’re curious about what has substituted wine, it’s water. Around 99% of french residents drink water at least once a day. Has this question arise in your mind can you drink tap water in France? The simple answer is ‘indeed’.
This article covers all the queries regarding distilled and tap water including their mineral water contents, potential issues, and main suppliers. Let’s dig in to overcome all your related concerns!
Is Tap Water in France Safe To Drink?
Indeed! Consuming tap water in France is safe and doesn’t contain any potential health threats. However, if you are health and taste-conscious, filtering is advised to improve the taste or purity. Filtered water moreover protects children from water minerals and pollutants. To provide you with a more hassle-free experience we recommend Big Berkey Water filters for filtration.
Big Berky water filters help you to remove viruses, chloride, toxins, fluoride, pesticides, and then bacteria, parasites, and chloramines.
Marking tap water safe should be done after careful analysis and tons of testing. So around 200 different water samples were analysed. First municipal reservoirs and distribution systems were tested. Samples from a few residencies were also included in the testing process.
To avoid any risk related to children’s health, nitrates in tap water were kept below 50 mg/l. When determining these requirements, the observers wanted to preserve all drinking water resources.
According to lab testing, the water that was tested contained 20 to 28 mg/l or less nitrate. This amount of nitrate is marked safe for kids and adults. Further testing results showed that 72% of Paris’s water samples contained microplastics without any regulations.
Paris citizens and water distribution officials develop a way to provide chlorine-free drinking water. People need to put water in bottles and keep them in the fridge for a few hours.
Many people worry about tap water‘s mineral level. 80 to 120 milligrammes of calcium per litre is in the water (20-30 degrees). Normal water hardness is 80-100 mg calcium per litre.
One litre of Paris water meets 10% of your daily calcium needs and 25% of a child’s. Tap water has 10 mg of salt per litre, making it ideal for low-sodium diets and safe to drink.
Do you need a water filter in Paris?
As mentioned earlier, tap water is undoubtedly safe to consume but if you consider it 100% pure, sadly it is not. It does contain toxins and bacteria. To make it pure and toxin-free a water filter is must need in Paris. As a water consumer, you might be thinking that what added benefits a water filter offers.
Let’s have a glance at a few of the most important factors.
- Taste: Filtered water is preferable because it excludes the chlorine and microorganisms that lend regular tap water its dreary, artificial flavour.
- Toxins: It’s excellent for your health to use the filter since it gets rid of arsenic and other toxins in the water.
- Cost: Expenditure analysis suggests that filtered water may save a lot of money as opposed to buying bottled water. The cost of installing a filter will be more than offset by the savings it provides.
- Cancer: By eliminating chlorine, filtered water reduces the likelihood of acquiring some malignancies. Colon, rectal, and bladder cancers are at the top of the list.
- Minerals: Water filters get rid of the elements that are detrimental to you, but they don’t get rid of the minerals you like. When you use a water filter, you may acquire the same beneficial minerals that are in bottled water without costing as much expense.
- Cooking: Having access to drinkable water on demand means you can fill your bathtub with it, wash your clothes in it, and do your dishes in it. Cooking using clean, fresh water helps improve the flavour of your cuisine.
- Bugs: You and your loved ones will be healthier and more content all year long thanks to the fact that water filters eliminate the microorganisms that cause stomachaches.
- Kid’s Health: Water is the healthiest beverage for the human body, yet its bland flavour puts off many picky eaters. The use of a water filter can help get kids in the habit of drinking more water, which has several benefits for their health and development.
What are the potential issues with tap water in Paris?
The European Union, World Health Organization, and regional health authorities agree that the water supply in Paris is safe for human consumption. While nitrates and minerals are the most obvious problems with tap water, there are also potential health risks associated with ingesting it.
- Lead: This is a serious issue for Parisians. A lack of physical or neurological development in newborns and children, as well as high blood pressure, renal issues, and cancer in adults, are all possible outcomes of lead exposure in drinking water. Lead poisoning through water is unlikely, but individuals who live in older buildings where the pipes haven’t been updated are in danger.
- Various Bi-Products of Chlorine: When chlorine taste water combines with other organic substances, a condition known as bi-chlorination can occur. There is a lot of unease about HAA and THMs, despite the fact that water sources often have conditions that keep these qualities.
- Leaching and Corrosion in Pipes: Unless pipes have been in existence for a very long time, the likelihood of either occurring is low. If corrosion contaminates the water supply, it might be very dangerous for human health.
- Pesticides: Drinking water contaminated with pesticides poses major health risks and natural emergencies.
Who shouldn’t drink tap or bottled water in France?
French bottled waters must stand out in a huge market. Each claims to come from a spring or renowned natural source of water and has its own mineral combination. Anyone who must avoid excessive quantities of certain minerals or who may have medical interactions with them should read labels carefully.
Although most French tap water is safe, never give it to a newborn or infant. Toddlers and older youngsters can drink tap water as long as it’s safe.
Check the label whether you have to mix the formula or if your kid is old enough to sip water. If bottled water is safe to drink for babies, you’ll see a convenient and comfortable (approved for nourishing infants) label.
Symbols like a baby bottle or face are common. Don’t allow your infant to drink that water if you don’t notice this.
Where to Find Drinking Water in Paris
On its website, Eau de Paris, the agency that is in charge of managing the infrastructure of drinking water stations in the city of Paris, supplies a map that pinpoints all of these locations.
The water points are divided according to the sorts of fountains that they are, and if you click on a particular water point, you will obtain information on its precise location, the purity of its water, and its current situation (e.g. available, under maintenance).
Where Eau de Paris distributes the water and how to find out
Parisians drink 550 million litres of water every single day. We’re talking about 120,000,000 gallons here or about 145,000,000 US gallons. A day!
Eau de Paris is a public enterprise that collects, purifies, and distributes water from a variety of sources, including the river water from the Seine & Marne as well as subterranean aquifers throughout the Paris area, the surrounding suburbs, and even the neighbouring regions of Normandy and Burgundy.
The treated water is stored in five reservoirs around the city of Paris: Montsouris and L’Hay-Les-Roses to the south, Saint-Cloud to the west, and Ménilmontant and Les Lilas to the east.
With the help of pipelines and aqueducts, water from the farthest subterranean source finally reaches the capital city after a journey of more than 150 kilometres.
The Aqueduc de la Vanne is a notable structure because it carries water from the Yonne River to the Montsouris reservoir through the Forest of Fontainebleau.
Can you drink water from fountains in Paris?
Until sewage became widespread, many French cities and villages had drinkable water fountains.
Today, you needn’t drink from a fountain unless it’s labelled hygienic or meant for drinking, like an airport drinking fountain.
Paris has at least one Wallace Fontaine. Scottish benefactor Richard Wallace gave the city these green-painted shaded fountains in the late 19th century.
Wallace wanted to provide everyone with clean drinking water, and his fountains still do. Only when they’re turned off due to low temperatures, you can not drink from them.
It is recommended to drink from identifiable or labelled drinking fountains in various cities and locations. Don’t drink from beautiful fountains or little ones in villages that look trapped in time.
Can you drink tap water in restaurants and bistros in Paris?
You may take us seriously, here. In Paris cafes and eateries, you may drink the water from the tap for free. Of course, if you’re looking to cut costs, getting bottled water straight from the tap is perfectly acceptable and often encouraged at restaurants.
To accompany your glass of French wine, feel free to ask for a free bottle of tap water (une carafe d’eau). It’s true that in certain restaurants you may skip the water refill request altogether because a bottle of tap water is automatically provided alongside the menus.
Where does the tap water in Paris come from?
Paris depends heavily on water from aquifers, which are subterranean water supplies. The water they store there is for use in case of crises only, so it does not deplete the aquifer.
To make the water potable, however, it needs to go through a series of purification processes, including ultra-filtration and activated carbon.
There are two separate water systems in Paris, and it is highly recommended that you do not combine them. Purity standards and intended uses vary widely among the various water distribution networks.
The other system is used to clean the streets and flush toilets in the city, while the first is for drinking water. Unlike the other water supply system, the one used for tap water is filtered.
What is the mineral content of Paris tap water?
There are between 80 and 120 milligrammes per litre of calcium in the water of Paris, which is measured in degrees French. This is right at the threshold of distilled water and will lead to some scale formation buildup.
One litre of Paris water provides 10% of an adult’s daily calcium requirements and 25% of a child’s daily calcium needs, on pace with the average of certain natural mineral waters (80 to 100 mg/l). The average amount of salt in Paris water is 10 mg/l. As a consequence, those trying to limit their salt intake can enjoy it.
Should You Drink Bottled Water Instead of Tap Water?
There are concerns about the water quality from the supply because so many French people choose to consume bottled water. When you ask for water in a restaurant or hotel room, you often get bottled water.
While it’s true that Paris tap water is safe to drink, they, like many Parisians, choose to drink bottled water instead.
In Paris, you may safely drink tap water. On the other hand, a bottle of water is a must if you aren’t a fan of the flavour or just want to be absolutely certain of the water quality.
Is French tap water fluoridated?
Affirmative! Around 3% of the population drinks tap water that contains fluoride naturally rather than through artificial means.
Is tap water free in Paris?
You may request a complimentary bottle of water from the tap to go with your glass of French wine and no one will bat an eye. The menus may already include a bottle of water from the tap, so there’s no need to ask for one.
Can you drink bathroom tap water in France?
The water from the bathroom tap is marked as safe drinking water in France. The only deciding factor in whether or not to drink it is a personal preference. Putting it in your body or ingesting it poses no danger.
Should I bring a water bottle to Paris?
Beverages can be on the pricey side in France, as they are in many other European nations; to cut costs, pack a refillable water bottle wherever possible. You may easily find spots to fill it throughout the city, notably in parks and other popular tourist destinations.
Is Paris water hard or soft?
Paris tap water is notably hard because of the abundance of soluble salts like calcium and magnesium.
Does Paris have a water source?
Half of Paris tap water safe supply originates from aquifers tapped in the regions of Île-de-France, Burgundy, and Normandy. The remaining 50% is supplied by water drawn from rivers like the Seine and the Marne.
Can you drink tap water at Disneyland Paris?
Guests may safely drink Paris tap water at Disneyland. Don’t hesitate in filling up your water bottles.
Conclusion
After reading this article it can be concluded that water straight from the tap in France is completely safe to drink. However, even in sections of the county where the water is exceptionally hard, it is still perfectly safe to drink without any further treatment.
Moreover, it should be taken care that water doesn’t contain any harmful toxins and is coming from a reliable water source. If you are even a little bit concerned about its quality then it is the best option to opt for bottled water.
You may now leave on your next trip to France knowing you have all the coverage regarding tap water. Do share with us your experiences with tap water and its effects on health (if any) in the comment section below!
References
- https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/paris/articles/this-beauty-ritual-is-native-to-paris/
- https://www.intelligenttravelblog.com/can-you-drink-tap-water-in-paris/
- https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/Practical/Everyday-Life/Bottled-or-tap-How-do-you-take-your-water-in-France
- https://www.anglianpumping.com/page/blog/view/8-health-benefits-of-drinking-filtered-water
- https://www.eaudeparis.fr/en/where-does-the-water-come-from-paris
- https://www.apur.org/en/geo-data/parisian-non-drinking-water-network
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