Drinking Water - Beach Shacks

Tobias · Aug 8th, 2007, 03:08

I'm planning to stay in beach shacks around Goa for more than a month come October. I like to drink quite a lot of water during the day but am not sure about the facilities most beach shacks would provide.

Do I really have to get several plastic bottles of water each day? It seems wasteful.

The other option I guess is some sort of water purification system?

Unless there is some sort of ingenious solution I haven't thought of.

It would be interesting to hear of other peoples experiences.

Tobias · Aug 8th, 2007, 03:22

I have come across this post Drinking water where one member mentions:

"...a lot of the backpackery places will have a shop that sells pressure boiled water and re-fills your bottles..."

This sounds pretty good but I do not know how common this actually is in Goa.

Anyway, much grateful for any advice or experience shared.

robotvoice · Aug 8th, 2007, 04:09

Bisleri also makes a 5 litre bottle of drinking water though these can be hard to find in some places. If you don't see them in the shops you can ask them if they can get it for you. The 5l bottle would last my ex wife and I about two days.

camelgirl · Aug 8th, 2007, 04:11

There has been alot of discussion about this topic (safe water). And many different options and opinions. You will be able to find bottled water everywhere. We bought all our water on our last trip 8 months ago and no problem. BUT there is a huge problem of plastic pollution in India and I have personally decided NOT to buy any more water in plastic bottles ANYWHERE if I can possibly help it.

SO, here's what to do, if you don't want to buy it. You should bring a Nalgene type bottle. Even if you buy water, it's a better bottle to carry it around in. You can buy a tiny heating coil, plug it in and boil your own water (safe to do in the Nalgene bottle). The coil weighs nothing. I've used one forever to make tea in my room. If you have no electricity in a beach shack.....

Invest in a Steripen. It works very well to purify water. But it does cost about $100. http://www.steripen.com/ I just bought one at L.L. Bean so I won't need to buy bottled water again in India. It's small, portable and uses batteries.

I also have a small camping pump purifier and filter but I never bring it anymore. I think it's more useful for camping/hiking getting water from lakes and streams.

Hope this give you some ideas and options. BUT if you don't want to bother, you can get bottled safe water all over India.

SitaParityaga · Aug 8th, 2007, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgirl

Invest in a Steripen. It works very well to purify water. But it does cost about $100. http://www.steripen.com/ I just bought one at L.L. Bean so I won't need to buy bottled water again in India. It's small, portable and uses batteries.

WOW! I'm really impressed CG! Do you know anyone who has actually used one of these on the tapwater in India and it worked? I have to see it to believe it, it sounds too good to be true.

camelgirl · Aug 8th, 2007, 06:32

I did just invest in this after checking on it as much as possible. This link from the steripen website is to all the different places that did the studies on its effectiveness. They are all independant and reliable University studies. I haven't tried using it yet, but I plan to. I also thought it was "too good to be true" but I now think it is just an excellent invention!! I'll be a guinea pig next time I'm in India!

http://www.steripen.com/testing.html

SitaParityaga · Aug 8th, 2007, 06:39

CM, thanks for the link to the studies. Looks very good: I was especially impressed by the giardia results.

I'm going to start a thread on Steripens to see if anyone out there may have tried it out. The mechanics of UV light seems just too simple for me, despite the studies.

Enquiring minds need to know!

machadinha · Aug 8th, 2007, 07:20

... Steripen continued at Steripen UV Light/ Water Purification: Tried it? .

camelgirl · Aug 8th, 2007, 09:17

Great Idea! I'd like to find out if someone used it for tap water in India also. I do know the water has to be clear to work. The one I bought came with a small filter--not to filter for purifying but to take out bits of things that might be in the water.

shashank.aggarwal · Aug 8th, 2007, 10:20

another option would be to got for a 20 litre water bottle and stock it in your hut/shack/room. it would only cost you Rs.20-40 depending on the brand and other dynamics..

You have to pay some security deposit upfront and that would be refunded once you return the empty bottle...and if you need more supply simply give the empty bottle and take the filled one..for the charge of course..

evilnyberg · Aug 8th, 2007, 10:52

hmmm, how come barely anyone is mentioning water purification pills?

these are perfectly safe, much preferrable from an environmental point of view than buying endless bottles of water, light/compact to bring with you and generally ok tasting - providing you avoid the iodine-based variety.

if i were you i'd bring at least some of these, as they are a handy alternative when boiling (or whatever) is not an option.

i've been to goa recently and would like to add that most of the beach hut places do not provide any kind of drinking water facilities (with they exception of a few of the higher end, more eco-consious places that may provide a sloooow filter tap in the restaurant area) - in the end of the day, selling bottled water is just too good for business to be giving filtered water away for free!

a

Tobias · Aug 8th, 2007, 12:36

Thanks all!

I really like the idea of the larger 20 litre water bottles, but I guess it would be difficult storing these in a cool place (so that the water doesn't go bad)?

The Steripen looks brilliant, but is pricey ($200 in the UK it seems!) - I will investigate any alternatives to this.

Regarding water purification pills, perhaps these are an option, I'm just concerned that they might contain a few things not so good for you (but then again I do not really know what I am basing this on!!). Worth looking in to.

Yet the last two options require access to a tap, and I don't know how easy it is to find these when in beach shacks in Goa.

shashank.aggarwal · Aug 8th, 2007, 12:58

and what about the packaged water...its stocked in godowns for weeks...you know there is always a good before date...

evilnyberg · Aug 8th, 2007, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias

Yet the last two options require access to a tap, and I don't know how easy it is to find these when in beach shacks in Goa.

don't worry, you'll have access to running water (either in the hut itself or in a shared washing area or bathroom), even your more basic places.

a

Tobias · Aug 8th, 2007, 13:36

Thanks

I think I just need to go there and stop worrying/planning ahead in general!

Aug 8th, 2007, 03:08	#1
Tobias Permanent Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 31	Drinking Water - Beach Shacks I'm planning to stay in beach shacks around Goa for more than a month come October. I like to drink quite a lot of water during the day but am not sure about the facilities most beach shacks would provide. Do I really have to get several plastic bottles of water each day? It seems wasteful. The other option I guess is some sort of water purification system? Unless there is some sort of ingenious solution I haven't thought of. It would be interesting to hear of other peoples experiences.

Aug 8th, 2007, 07:20	#8
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,593	... Steripen continued at Steripen UV Light/ Water Purification: Tried it? . __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Aug 8th, 2007, 10:20	#10
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,522	another option would be to got for a 20 litre water bottle and stock it in your hut/shack/room. it would only cost you Rs.20-40 depending on the brand and other dynamics.. You have to pay some security deposit upfront and that would be refunded once you return the empty bottle...and if you need more supply simply give the empty bottle and take the filled one..for the charge of course.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

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Aug 8th, 2007, 03:22	#2
Tobias Permanent Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 31	I have come across this post Drinking water where one member mentions: "...a lot of the backpackery places will have a shop that sells pressure boiled water and re-fills your bottles..." This sounds pretty good but I do not know how common this actually is in Goa. Anyway, much grateful for any advice or experience shared.

Aug 8th, 2007, 04:09	#3
robotvoice mikeaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california Posts: 1,163	Bisleri also makes a 5 litre bottle of drinking water though these can be hard to find in some places. If you don't see them in the shops you can ask them if they can get it for you. The 5l bottle would last my ex wife and I about two days.

Aug 8th, 2007, 04:11	#4
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,026	There has been alot of discussion about this topic (safe water). And many different options and opinions. You will be able to find bottled water everywhere. We bought all our water on our last trip 8 months ago and no problem. BUT there is a huge problem of plastic pollution in India and I have personally decided NOT to buy any more water in plastic bottles ANYWHERE if I can possibly help it. SO, here's what to do, if you don't want to buy it. You should bring a Nalgene type bottle. Even if you buy water, it's a better bottle to carry it around in. You can buy a tiny heating coil, plug it in and boil your own water (safe to do in the Nalgene bottle). The coil weighs nothing. I've used one forever to make tea in my room. If you have no electricity in a beach shack..... Invest in a Steripen. It works very well to purify water. But it does cost about $100. http://www.steripen.com/ I just bought one at L.L. Bean so I won't need to buy bottled water again in India. It's small, portable and uses batteries. I also have a small camping pump purifier and filter but I never bring it anymore. I think it's more useful for camping/hiking getting water from lakes and streams. Hope this give you some ideas and options. BUT if you don't want to bother, you can get bottled safe water all over India.

Aug 8th, 2007, 06:32	#6
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,026	I did just invest in this after checking on it as much as possible. This link from the steripen website is to all the different places that did the studies on its effectiveness. They are all independant and reliable University studies. I haven't tried using it yet, but I plan to. I also thought it was "too good to be true" but I now think it is just an excellent invention!! I'll be a guinea pig next time I'm in India! http://www.steripen.com/testing.html

Aug 8th, 2007, 06:39	#7
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 904	CM, thanks for the link to the studies. Looks very good: I was especially impressed by the giardia results. I'm going to start a thread on Steripens to see if anyone out there may have tried it out. The mechanics of UV light seems just too simple for me, despite the studies. Enquiring minds need to know!

Aug 8th, 2007, 09:17	#9
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,026	Great Idea! I'd like to find out if someone used it for tap water in India also. I do know the water has to be clear to work. The one I bought came with a small filter--not to filter for purifying but to take out bits of things that might be in the water.

Aug 8th, 2007, 10:52	#11
evilnyberg Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: london Posts: 101	hmmm, how come barely anyone is mentioning water purification pills? these are perfectly safe, much preferrable from an environmental point of view than buying endless bottles of water, light/compact to bring with you and generally ok tasting - providing you avoid the iodine-based variety. if i were you i'd bring at least some of these, as they are a handy alternative when boiling (or whatever) is not an option. i've been to goa recently and would like to add that most of the beach hut places do not provide any kind of drinking water facilities (with they exception of a few of the higher end, more eco-consious places that may provide a sloooow filter tap in the restaurant area) - in the end of the day, selling bottled water is just too good for business to be giving filtered water away for free! a

Aug 8th, 2007, 12:36	#12
Tobias Permanent Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 31	Thanks all! I really like the idea of the larger 20 litre water bottles, but I guess it would be difficult storing these in a cool place (so that the water doesn't go bad)? The Steripen looks brilliant, but is pricey ($200 in the UK it seems!) - I will investigate any alternatives to this. Regarding water purification pills, perhaps these are an option, I'm just concerned that they might contain a few things not so good for you (but then again I do not really know what I am basing this on!!). Worth looking in to. Yet the last two options require access to a tap, and I don't know how easy it is to find these when in beach shacks in Goa.

Aug 8th, 2007, 12:58	#13
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,522	and what about the packaged water...its stocked in godowns for weeks...you know there is always a good before date...

Aug 8th, 2007, 13:36	#15
Tobias Permanent Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 31	Thanks I think I just need to go there and stop worrying/planning ahead in general!

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