gawguy Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 This question was raised years ago without a really clear answer: I'm in Pattaya and bottled water is in short supply. I always buy 6 liter bottles, but there aren't any now. So..there are water ionizing / dispensing machines around from couple of different companies. 1. Are these machines effective? 2. Are they maintained properly? Filters changed? 3. What vending company is best? Thanks, Gaw Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Hi, Have used these myself in the past and know of several people who use these regularly. Never heard about any problems. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 I would say they are not as safe as bottled water, but probably safe enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Personally I have never had a problem with water quality from these machines, after all they are just a simple Reverse Osmosis system with a UV treatment module downstream. Many households in Thailand have home R.O. water treatment systems under the sink, when I had mine I changed the filters ever 36 months no worries. On the machines seen in the streets filters are good for 250,000 Liters, so if in constant use that is more than 28 LPM for a year. If in doubt look for the maintenance label on the machine, yes even in Thailand they have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 I am told that if you refill a plastic water bottle with tap water and leave it in the sun all day, a combination of temperature and UV will make it safe to drink the next day. I do not advocate this, merely point it out for discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 When buying bottled water, make sur the caps are tight. I have seen some characters pull the empties out of the garbage cans and refill them. I have found some of thee bottles in some of the convenience stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I am told that if you refill a plastic water bottle with tap water and leave it in the sun all day, a combination of temperature and UV will make it safe to drink the next day. I do not advocate this, merely point it out for discussion. Very, very, very untrue and dangerous! They use the cheapest and most unsafe plastic bottles in LOS, as they contain a nasty cancer causing chemical, BPE, which has been outlawed in Canada. Leaving the bottles in the sun cause a rapid pollution of the water with BPE. If you leave tap water, say in an open glass container in the sun for a day, much of the chlorine in the water "boil" out. The nasty minerals; lead, mercury, etc will remain. I have a water testing meter and distilled water tests at 0; a good RO water machine will test at 4 ~ 5. Tap water 200+; bottled water 200+, so be careful out there. I have found that most of the RO machines on the street test at 200+, in other words they are just spitting out tap water!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gawguy Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I have a water testing meter and distilled water tests at 0; a good RO water machine will test at 4 ~ 5. Tap water 200+; bottled water 200+, so be careful out there. I have found that most of the RO machines on the street test at 200+, in other words they are just spitting out tap water!!! The definitive answer! Can anyone dispute this? It's in line with my general feeling about anything that costs a Thai business person money. Like most everything else, it is not regulated or monitored. If there is some kind of inspection, you would have to be wary of bribery / corruption. These machines spit out tap water sounds right to me. Thanks for the responses, Gaw Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Depends on your tap water, in NZ it's excellent... In LOS ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Bangkok's city water goes through a filtration system. I don't think any chemicals are added though. Consider it about 90% safe to drink without boiling, if you feel like gambling. I'm reminded of a Farang speaker at my university who wouldn't touch the bottled water. She said she'd heard it wasn't safe to drink the water in Thailand, so she only drank soft drinks. And no she wasn't a blonde. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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