Drinking Water ?? Do you need to buy Bottled Water or can you drink tap water ?

[MICHAEL R.]

Hello Suzan or Ecuadorian Expats

I plan on retiring in a coastal area, does the drinking water need to be bottled water? or can you drink tap water?

Thanks,
Mike Ryan

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Drink bottled water only on the coast, Mike.

[GRETCHEN SOLDAT]

Hi Mike,

At our condo complex on the coast in Canoa, 5-gallon bottles of drinking water are delivered, and even carried up the stairs for very low cost. Household use water is also delivered to a cistern underground. Irrigation water comes from the river. FYI, lots of goods get delivered–shrimp, cheese, coffee, even beer! The locals see a good business opportunity with all car-less expats. Nice!

[MICHAEL R.]

Hi Edd and Gretchen

Thanks for the great information. What does 5 gallons of bottled water cost to be delivered?

Thanks,
Mike Ryan
San Diego, California

[SUZAN HASKINS]

We were paying $3 at one time.

[STEVE BOTTLE]

Hi Suzan,

Do you also use bottled water in Cuenca? What about Cotacaci (sp?)? My wife and are are most likely coming to check out Ecuador for 3 months late this year or early next year.

Kind regards,
Steve Bottle
Johannesburg, SA

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Steve, since I live in Cuenca I can tell you our tap water is ranked the best in Ecuador, so bottled water is an option, not a necessity..

[COUNTRY EXPERT – WENDY DECHAMBEAU]

In Cotacachi many people drink the city water and never have a problem. Some of us like to be extra cautious and so we buy bottled water or use water filters.

[Milan Pakes]

HI, I visit Guayaquil each year and visit other cities also. What I’ve learned to do when visiting private homes / family is to put 1 cup of Bleach into their water tank each place I go the moment I get there. If I stay more than 2 days I put a 1/2 cup each day into the water tank. I let the water run for a day to clean the pipes, then I use it and have no problems. Bleach kills all the germs.

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