| Pages:
1
2
3 |
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Drinking water is a concern in Baja. In general, you should never drink from the faucet anywhere unless you know the source is healthy, nor accept
water in a glass that you don't know the source of as healthy water. Drinking public water has shown to be a health concern in some areas of Baja.
Mining pollution is a concern that causes issues with public water systems. Because of concerns and lack of water, some Mexicans are reluctant to
drink a ton of water like North Americans do and prefer to drink store bought individual drinks or store bought individual bottled water.
There are 3 common types of water purification, filter, RO and distillation. Many sources of drinking water such as purificadas exist in every town
and there are distributors of water by car many times a day on every street and most campgrounds that honk their horn or play a song to let you know
it's time to give your old bottle and replace for a filled bottle. Some cities have a public free distilled water outlets intended for one garafon a
day, it's considered rude if a gringo in a camper pulls up to a public distilled water dispenser and fills their camper-please don't do that. Stores
may have refill for 8 peso special one day a week or 12-15 pesos for a garafon exchange. In places like Cabo or Los Barriles they may try to charge
30-40 pesos for a garafon exchange while the national average is 12-15 pesos. Typically you pay 50 pesos deposit for a "garafon" or 5 gallon plastic
bottle and you exchange this bottle or refill it.
To dispense the water for drinking you can buy various hand pumps or turn it upside into a dispenser to use gravity to dispense. Gringo people in
campers often rig elaborate 12v pumps to pump the water inside and out plus shower. I know of some people who filter their own water from gas station
street dispensers or any public source of street water with their own filtration and RO unit. Marinas often have good water free for boaters. The
costs are high for a true filtration system with RO at home or your camper or boat. Some dispensers claim to sell water at different ph or one variety
more alkaline than the other. There is also true spring raw water sometimes available.
Ultimately the question is what do you want? Most water sold through shops is probably street water just filtered through 3 various finer filters with
pores 1 micron or less, and it usually tastes fine but it's not perfect and you are not sure about quantity of e-coli and minerals or harmful elements
probably similar to most city water in USA. I have never suffered any issue from this type of water yet. True distilled water has no mineral qualities
left and while clean, you may want to supplement minerals in distilled water, though, you get minerals from organic food sources. See links below
about risks of types of water purification.
My personal philosophy is mix up high quality sources. Don't use the same source and don't use only RO or distilled and supplement water with minerals
and lime squeeze. Choose a purificada carefully with a water processing area in view and when it's not crowded politely ask them to show you the
system and explain what they do, then use that company to refill multiple clean garafons that you manage and keep clean and try to mix it up from
other reliable sources, and use established sources of water like national brands in larger stores, use a passive or forced water filter, freeze water
first for example fill small water bottles and place in the freezer then use that for daily coolers at the beach and drink that water later if
possible then supplement with fresh lime or orange squeeze.
I'm reminded of my friend Jay Valentine, the Baja pioneer, who insisted on carrying a case of glass bottles which he hand filtered water fro chosen
sources through a military hand press filter. He said the filtering, the exercise and the glass storage improved his health. He is quite healthy and
active today at 84.
Be especially careful the first day and the first week in Baja that you don't over do it, and eat too much new foods or drink too much alcohol or get
too sunburned or dehydrated. Take time to ensure you are transitioning carefully and in healthy manner. It's helpful that everyone in the group takes
time together to drink water from the reliable sources on a regular schedule to ensure everyone is hydrated in healthy manner.
Report of water quality issues in BCS in the area of Los Plannes
http://defiendelasierra.org/wp-content/uploads/Arsenic-conte...
More about BCS water affect on the body
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10653-014-9603-...
Water pressure issues in Todos Santos
https://tosea.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/water-pressure-in-baj...
Water issues in BCS
https://journaldelpacifico.com/blog/features/water/
RO vs Distilled water
https://myaquanui.com/2015/11/18/what-is-the-difference-betw...
Health risk of demineralization of drinking water
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientschap...
How to build a solar passive water distiller
https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/passive-solar-wate...
Guide to filters
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/gen_info/filters.html
[Edited on 9-6-2018 by gnukid]
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
It is my ASSUMPTION ice cubes are OK, however they could
easily be made from tap water. Was in San Felipe recently,
a friend used faucet water to brush his teeth, got be something
swallowed? I think the delivery system, pipes and such, contain
contaminants. In the past, have drank well water in parts of
the Peninsula
|
|
|
Bubba
Senior Nomad
Posts: 957
Registered: 2-17-2009
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca.
Member Is Offline
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  | | DK, it's better overall to not use plastic if you don't have to! Much better to fill a 5 gallon bottle and refill as needed, and significantly
cheaper. |
This^
Making America Great Again
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65226
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Sorry, but my Baja Angel likes cold water and cold beer. A 5-gallon water tank doesn't fit in the ice chest. As I said, we crush and recycle our water
bottles and beer cans. Bajabound888 asked a pretty simple question and it has been answered.
|
|
|
bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
|
|
So DK, just how much does a 'flat' of bottles cost at Costco? How many bottles at what volume?
And why not do both? Cut down the consumption of your plastic waste "Recycling" plastic is a joke on the world's scene. It is now a proven
world-wide epidemic, and you can do your part even more than just recycling. You can have a little spigot for the big bottles, and have a half dozen
of your 'personal' size containers to fill every evening (or morning) for cooler chilling rather than a whole flat of small ones and no big ones.
Think about it.
Some people choose to give advice prolifically and TAKE NONE.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
|
|
|
volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
Member Is Offline
Mood: always pining to be there
|
|
thank you gnukid
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19636
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Online
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Sorry, but my Baja Angel likes cold water and cold beer. A 5-gallon water tank doesn't fit in the ice chest. |
Here are instructions on how to avoid being a plastic waster:
Fill 5-gal jug with tap water at home or from store
Fill 1-quart bottle from 5-gal jug
Put 1-qt bottle in cooler
Wait about 1/2 hour for water to cool
Drink cool water from 1-qt bottle
Repeat as necessary
P.s. if you don’t like 1-qt size, use other size, this method is very adaptable — it’s so easy, even a republican can do it!
As Nike (and Colin) says: “just do it”
P.p.s. Reduce, re-use, recycle!
[Edited on 9-7-2018 by mtgoat666]
Woke!
Hands off!
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.”
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Pronoun: the royal we
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65226
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Drink more beer!
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
Are you sure?
|
|
|
freediverbrian
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 2-24-2007
Location: Papas Gonzaga Bay
Member Is Offline
|
|
Don't worry about plastic in the land fills
, just burn it problem solved
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Re-using a large garafon 5gallon bottle and refilling smaller plastic water bottles for daily use is a good solution to reduce waste.
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Refillable 5-gal bottles is the way to go, any town would have a refill station, look for signs Garafones or Agua Purificada. One 5-gal bottle lasts
nearly a week for one person. As others noted, purified or distilled water alone is of limited value, you should supplement it with fruits, juices
and mineral water. Beer is a matter of taste and habit, but drinking it instead of water doesn't make sense because it actually dehydrates you (and so
does iced tea or coffee).
If 5-gal doesn't fit in the ice chest, use 3-gal bottle or pour it in smaller containers. Btw, Walmart sell 3-gal American Maid bottles for half of
Amazon price.
[Edited on 9-7-2018 by Alm]
|
|
|
bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
|
|
 ..... so is MAGA gear... 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
MAID. The one in skirt. Not "made" 
|
|
|
willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
getting back to water, at least at the water store I use........you have a choice between regular ol' water and an antioxidant water, I believe they
call it "oxylina" or something like that. they pushed it hard for awhile, I don't know anything about it but im sure nomads could argue about it for
pages. cost roughly twice as much.
|
|
|
Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
|
|
I agree. Great writeup on the subject.
|
|
|
willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
the Berkey water filter. a neighbor just grabbed one of these for a hundred bucks from someone moving out, they absolutely love it! anyone tried
these? not cheap but good for 6000 gallons before they need new filters.
https://theberkey.com/pages/berkey-water-filters
|
|
|
John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by willardguy | | getting back to water, at least at the water store I use........you have a choice between regular ol' water and an antioxidant water, I believe they
call it "oxylina" or something like that. they pushed it hard for awhile, I don't know anything about it but im sure nomads could argue about it for
pages. cost roughly twice as much. |
The human body maintains it's own pH levels, always has. Alkaline water, oxylina, Dr. Happy's magic bubble water. It's all BS. Just designed to
separate you from your money.
John
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
The most one can demand of purified water is a reasonable degree of purity. Reverse osmosis water in Garafones stations is good enough - as long as
they clean their machines regularly. Distilled water would be completely clear of anything - again, subject to dirt and mold in their dispensers.
Both RO and distilled water on its own is not a good thing because it's lacking salt and minerals necessary for your body, so your need to supplement
it with small amount of table salt. Or drink mineral water, you don't need many gallons of it, some water should come with fruits and liquid food. It
should specifically say "Agua Mineral" on the bottle - preferably without color or flavor, they never get flavor right.
|
|
|
PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3113
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
Been drinking RO and distilled water for most of my adult life to prevent my condition of kidney stones. We use that kind of water for all of your foo
preparation. I suppose I get enough of the bodily required minerals and salt with my normal diet. I have semiannual lab testing and the results show
normal readings and for sure the water I consume has not created any deficiencies.
From my reading drinking mineralized water has no value at all and has lots of negative issues.
And the water I drink has no taste.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
