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Tano
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Posts: 106
Registered: 10-20-2009
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What’s wrong with the water?
For years I’ve heard that the water in Mexico is undrinkable, but what specifically is wrong with the water in Baja? I’m asking to decide on what kind
of filter(s) to get.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Any strange water to your stomach can cause problems... Mexicans visiting the U.S. can get the 'turista two step' from our water... It is microbes in
the different water your system isn't accustomed to. However, bottled water is available everywhere if you don't bring enough.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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That one really depends on where your are in Baja---very different in different places.
For instance, there are some people who drink the tap water here in Bahia Asuncion. Our water comes from the other side of Vizcaino---however, I
would not recommend drinking it. I took a drink by mistake and it tastes terrible, really full of minerals.
But, we have no problem bathing and washing dishes with it. So, it depends on where you move.
We buy our drinking water 5 gallons at a time for 10 pesos for 5 gallons at the water store---
[Edited on 10-27-2009 by DianaT]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tano
For years I’ve heard that the water in Mexico is undrinkable, but what specifically is wrong with the water in Baja? I’m asking to decide on what kind
of filter(s) to get. |
The pila water here is really dirty among other things. It will clog up a store bought filter quickly. You might look into a pool filter that you
can clean.
There's purified drinking water for sale everywhere. I have a 55 gallon tank with a demand pump coming into the house. No filter necessary.
You can also buy water test kits online if you think you really want to know what's in the water.
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Bajajorge
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2604
Registered: 10-13-2005
Location: Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe
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No, I'm not kiddin. To get used to the water straight from the well in Baja, I eat some jalapeno peppers for a couple of days prior to arriving in
Baja. Then put some lime juice in the water. It will still take a day or two to acclimate. Any commercial water filter will also help. I also use a
Pure filtered water pitcher. There is plenty of reverse osmosis water available, about 6-7 Pesos for 5 gallons. I don't think the problem is the
water, I think it's the pipes that deliver the water.
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Tano
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Posts: 106
Registered: 10-20-2009
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Thanks, everybody. I’m trying to stay away from chemicals, the most insidious type of contamination.
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Woooosh
Banned
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Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tano
For years I’ve heard that the water in Mexico is undrinkable, but what specifically is wrong with the water in Baja? I’m asking to decide on what kind
of filter(s) to get. |
I've had unfiltered samples of my Rosarito Beach municipal water tested and it came back absolutley fine to drink. No chemicals, nothing nasty living
in it either. We were shocked actually. I think it's because the water source here is the same as San Diego. Not sure how far down south in baja the
water quality changes.
Also- all restaurants here are required to use filtered water (including ice). Even with the water being safe to drink here - no one does- including
our family and we have a whole-house filter. It's more a mental thing.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Water Purifier
Tano - don't know what application you are looking for but I am installing a Waterfixer 1000. It is a UV system.
http://www.waterfixercompany.com/model1000.html
Also installing a whole house filter to remove the big chunks of sediment and sand:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100471282/h_d2/...
Several Waterfixer units installed and in use in Ensenada, no problems
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Tano
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That’s more or less what I had in mind: something that will do the job for a particular area.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
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Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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Drink the tapwater regularly here in Nopolo.
Really believe that most water in Baja is safe to drink and most discomfort is caused by it just being different from what you're used to. It
sometimes even happens inside the US while traveling to different states. And some folks are more susceptible to that change and get sick just
thinking about it.
So, if you get "the Revenge" for a few days, just stick with tapwater, and before you know it, 4 months mas o menos, you'll be adjusted and save the
bottled water money, which now you can spend on Pacifico. And now it dawns on you that you should have done this in the first place.
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Tano
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Posts: 106
Registered: 10-20-2009
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Thanks for the input, everybody. Has anybody tried one of those devices that make distilled water?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tano
Thanks for the input, everybody. Has anybody tried one of those devices that make distilled water? |
The ones I've seen use a lot of electricity. Use it for making tequila instead.
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20354
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tano
Thanks for the input, everybody. Has anybody tried one of those devices that make distilled water? |
Distilled and RO treated water are energy intensive treatments, usually done only when the source water has high TDS. In case of high TDS, probably
preferable to buy bottled water for drinking/cooking and use the tap water for washing.
If you have low saline water coming to house via utility, then you may prefer to treat at tap using carbon filters and/or UV treatment.
Don't trust water provided by utility. The treatment and quality control is often not reliable, and distribution system sometimes lacks protections
such as backflow preventers, etc.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tano
Thanks for the input, everybody. Has anybody tried one of those devices that make distilled water? |
You can find plans online to make a solar water distiller. Pretty easy setup and should work great in Baja with all the sunlight and heat.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Tano
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Registered: 10-20-2009
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"You can find plans online to make a solar water distiller. Pretty easy setup and should work great in Baja with all the sunlight and heat."
It crossed my mind. I'm somewhat of a techie, so all options are open.
The problem with distilled water is that some chemicals won’t be eliminated because they evaporate and condense along with the water. That’s why I was
asking if anyone had any practical experience with commercial distillers that might have a way to get rid of them anyway. If the water in Baja doesn’t
have any chemicals in it, then the situation might be different. Bacteria and minerals might be easier to deal with.
[Edited on 10-27-2009 by Tano]
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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The more rural, the more clean.
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Dave
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Turning water into...
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Tano
Thanks for the input, everybody. Has anybody tried one of those devices that make distilled water? |
The ones I've seen use a lot of electricity. Use it for making tequila instead. |
Proof that Jesus was Mexican.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
Proof that Jesus was Mexican. |
Of course. Chuy of Nazareth.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Thank god for positive line pressure
Any town/community that regularly turns the water off and on gives me a real scare. The problem I see is that plumbing systems in Baja do not require
or promote the use of backflow prevention. I've discussed it here before.
In a nutshell, if a main is shut off it creates a vacuum behind it as it drains out. This can pull caca into the system from unprotected backflow
sources like a hose in a septic tank
So even if the water is good it's possible the system downsteam of unchecked lines could theoretically contaminate each and every time they cycle
off and on.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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postholedigger
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Posts: 189
Registered: 1-6-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
Proof that Jesus was Mexican. |
Of course. Chuy of Nazareth. |
Anyone seen George Lopez' "Tall, Dark, and Chicano"? He does a bit in there that lays out his case for people who he thinks is Latino.
Partial quote: Jesus Christ....Latino. Carpenter. Accused of a crime He did not commit. Thought His mother was a virgin. LATINO!
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