Can you drink tap water in Paris? How does it taste? What are common contaminations and other problems with tap water? Should you buy bottled water in Paris, boil the water or use a water filter?
If you are visiting Paris, moving to Paris or living in Paris, you might be wondering if tap water in Paris is safe to drink. In this article, we will try to answer all your questions and concerns.
Where does tap water in Paris come from?
parisian wateris the local water utility responsible for providing potable water at all taps in the metropolitan area. Half of the water that Parisians consume comes from rivers and the other half from underground sources (aquifers). Most underground capture comes from natural emergencies with no impact on the water table. The river's water is drawn from the Seine-et-Marne upstream of Paris. This water is not considered potable at source, so it must pass through several layers of filtration, including activated carbon and ultrafiltration.
A very unusual thing about Paris is that it existstwo water supply systems. Each serves different purposes with different degrees of purity. (1) is for tap water and (2) is unfiltered water used for cleaning and flushing streets. There's no mixing of water from the two systems, so don't worry if you're drinking Parisian tap water; It's safe and I like the taste. If you want to know more about Paris water supply, come and visit usthe water pavilion(Paris must be one of the few cities with an entire museum dedicated to water and water supply.)
Is tap water safe to drink in Paris?
Paris has had an indoor aqueduct since 1781, although only 125 houses were connected at the time. Tap water is much safer today than it was back then. Parisian tap water is considered safe according to French, EU and international (WHO) standards.
Every day, more than 200 samples are received and registered in the Eau de Paris research and analysis laboratories, divided between the different departments of chemistry, organic chemistry, bacteriology and corrosion. These samples come from a variety of sources. First, there is the water drawn by laboratory equipment from the Eaude Paris distribution system and reservoirs in the city and nearby suburbs. Finally, individual households are also sampled to ensure that the water coming out of the tap is safe to drink.
One substance that is closely monitored is nitrates. Excessive consumption, especially by infants and young children, has health disadvantages when they are broken down into nitrites in the body. The quality standard (50mg/l) of European origin determines the potability of the water. It was established according to a precautionary principle to protect the quality of the resources used to supply drinking water and taking into account the different sources of dietary exposure. Parisian water, with a content that varies between 20 and 38 mg/l throughout the year, is below the norm. Therefore, it poses little or no risk to adults regarding nitrates. Nitrates are naturally present in many foods (meat products, vegetables, fruits, etc.). For babies, however, you can use a water filter, as even small amounts of nitrate can have negative health effects.
Microplastics have been found72% of water samples collected in Paris. There are currently no official limits or regulations, but it's unlikely to be healthy.
Residents and authorities alike vow to let drinking water "breathe" to remove the chlorine taste and odor. Simply pour tap water into an uncovered water bottle and leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours. This allows the smell to escape. Or use a water filter like TAPP Water's EcoPro to get clean, great tasting tap water straight from the tap.
Eau de Paris offers a great brochure in Englishin the tap water of Paris.
What is the mineral content of tap water in Paris?
Water hardness in Paris is between 20 and 30 French degrees (80-120 mg/L of calcium). This is considered right at the edge of hard water and will cause someKal.
With an average close to some natural mineral waters (80 to 100 mg/l), the daily consumption of a liter of Parisian water covers 10% of our daily calcium needs and 25% for a child. Water in Paris contains an average of 10 mg/l of sodium. Therefore, it is suitable for people on a low sodium diet.
What are the possible problems with tap water in Paris?
Although Parisian tap water is safe to drink according to WHO and EU standards, there are some known risks, including
- microplastics– Most tap water in Europe contains microplastics. While it's significantly less than bottled water, it's probably not healthy.
- chlorine by-products– One problem with water chlorination is the by-products that form when chlorine reacts with organic matter. These are generally within the water company's standards, but there is a big unknown when it comes to THMs and HAAs.
- Lead- You're unlikely to find it unless you live in a very old building where the plumbing hasn't been replaced in 50 years.
- Corrosion/flushing of pipes: oRisks of pipe corrosionIn addition to lead, they are generally considered minor, but they can cause problems such as cloudy or yellow tap water. If so, you must report it. A water filter also reduces the need to constantly flush the pipes.
- Nitrate, pesticides, and other substances below prescribed limits: While they are safe for adults at prescribed levels, we know less about infant and child exposure. AfterGTEtherefore, regulated limits should be reduced.
A recent report showed thatMore than 12 million people in France were exposed to pesticidesin tap water above the prescribed level in the last year.
Do you need a water filter in Paris?
There are a few reasons to use a water filter in Paris:
- Taste: By removing chlorine, the water is immediately tastier
- Babies/Toddlers - As mentioned above, little ones are more delicate and therefore it might be a good idea to use a Paris water filter to keep your family safe.
Which filter should I use in France?
We recommendecopro,Compact EcoProjlauncherproas the most sustainable and affordable alternative. Read more aboutBrita x TAPPjPUR, Culligan v. TAPPto see how the water filters compare.
Read more about choosingbest faucet filter for you?
What about bottled water in France?
Most waiters and waitresses in restaurants, bars and cafes offer you bottled water first when you order water. Many Parisians also consume bottled water at home due to taste preferences and health concerns. There is howeverThere is no evidence that bottled water is healthier than tap water.
Bottled water can be purchased at stores and restaurants throughout the city. This includes brands such as Evian, Vittel, Volvic, Badoit, Contrex and Hèpar.
Based on testing conducted by OrbMedia in 201893% of bottled water brands have been found to contain microplastics. Some with up to 10,000 particles per liter.
Also visit our website in French for more information:http://tappwater.co/fr/
Diploma
- Tap water in Paris is generally considered to be of good quality and safe to drink.
- If you want better tasting water or are concerned about water quality, use a quality tap water filter such asecoprothe Krug Pro Water TAPP
- Bottled water is no longer healthyand should be avoided if possible
Other sources:
http://www.eaudeparis.fr/vos-questions-nos-reponses/categorieFAQ/qualite-de-leau-du-robinet/(French)