Drinking water in Phnom Penh

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PaulR1205 Active member

Member since 17 May 2022

PaulR1205Active member23 May 2022 19:28:20

I wanted to find out if the tap water is ok to drink in Phnom Penh. From my research it was said that in certain areas it's not safe. Now, the second part of my question is for serviced apartments and condos. I plan on getting a condo in Phnom Penh when I get out there, a serviced apartment. With a serviced condo or apartment, do they provide like drinking water and the water cooler or how does that work? Thanks in advance guys.

JoeKhmer Cambodia expert

Member since 13 November 2015

JoeKhmerCambodia expert25 May 2022 01:00:57

2167

@survivor1206

The system is to buy large 20L bottles of drinking water, they have a tap so easy to use, with or without a cooler.

Apartment landlords usually supply and exchange the bottles.

Cheers

Joe

PaulR1205 Active member

Member since 17 May 2022

PaulR1205Active member25 May 2022 07:57:50

@JoeKhmer Thanks Joe.

hdgh29 Serial expat

Member since 13 November 2010

hdgh29Serial expat25 May 2022 08:35:27

318

Water supplied from the Water Authority is safe to drink, but is heavily chlorinated. The issue is that many buildings have underground water storage tanks which are porous concrete and can get contaminated, so its a risk. Joe is right as far as drinking water goes. However the tap water is ok if its boiled so can be used for tea or coffee, or for cooking vegetables.聽 I have been doing that for a couple of years in two different apartments with no ill effects. I am sure that all cafes and restaurants do the same.

netr Member

Member since 13 June 2022

netrMember13 June 2022 05:51:13

@PaulR1205

I wondered this when moving to PP many years ago. The CDC says bring PP tap water to a roiling boil for only 1 minute and it's fine. I've been doing this for years and have never had a problem. It's also saved me about $60 a month as I drink so much water and I refill the large bottles of drinking water often adding 2 packets of Royal-D for a few vitamins. Also, I cook, shower and brush my teeth with PP water and have never had an issue. The real question is your building's water tank. Is it the old style cement container or the newer stainless steel ones, which it probably is. Hope this helps.

azpactrading Member

Member since 10 February 2023

azpactradingMember10 February 2023 14:16:30

@PaulR1205 the water is not safe to drink unless it鈥檚 filter .. even most bottle water is not good for you, where the most popular is very acidic and the most expensive is foreign and too pricy .. you should look into Acqualive Asia on Facebook , they have a filter with the most minerals benefits and does the job of a 5k machine

hdgh29 Serial expat

Member since 13 November 2010

hdgh29Serial expat11 February 2023 01:10:33

318

@azpactrading you may well be right technically speaking, however most expats and all locals drink whatever bottle of water is available, usually locally bottled, seemingly without adverse consequences. Same with brushing teeth with tap water etc. Some expats I know boil water to drink, and have done so for years without problems. Mind you, I often see some people at the gym completely wiping down the equipment with sanitiser before touching it with gloved hands, even treadmills, so whatever floats your boat, I guess. Some people still wear masks - go figure.

narcrepellant2525 Serial expat

Member since 15 March 2022

narcrepellant2525Serial expat13 February 2023 18:00:09

310

Masks are quite good for protection against聽 pollution too :-)

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