Drinking water in Cozumel

[Waterskier1]

Don't worry about the ice; there are only a couple of ice plants on the island, and they use purified water.

I have seen this comment several times. I suspect it may be terminology used ther (Coz) versus the Rocky Mountains, as evidenced by my use of "storm" being interperted as "hurricane". :11: But, I do know that the Hotle Cozumel & Resorts has several ice machines connected to their "plumbing".

I didn't research it, but I do suspect that it is the same plumbing lines that run into the rooms. Here, we call that "tap" water. These were ice making machines, that is, they froze the water into ice inside the machine. They did not store "premade" ice.

I have also noticed these "Ice making machines" in some of the bars and at least one restraurant. If I had read this thread before I went there last week, I would have paid closer attention to how many actually had "ice making machines" hooked to plumbing (tap water). I know for sure they were not filling these machines with 5 gallon bottled water. :no

Note that I am also not saying that these establishments may or may not have had some sort of filtering or purification system on the water line. From the little I have read, many places do. But the condition and maintenance of these purification systems is questionalbe, and therefore the water that comes out (or so I have read - I have not personally performed any water sample tests).

Given the above, and the questionableness of the water entering these "ice making machines" I think the statement above is misleading. Or is it just different terminology?

 

[Christi]

I have seen this comment several times. I suspect it may be terminology used ther (Coz) versus the Rocky Mountains, as evidenced by my use of "storm" being interperted as "hurricane". :11: But, I do know that the Hotle Cozumel & Resorts has several ice machines connected to their "plumbing".

I didn't research it, but I do suspect that it is the same plumbing lines that run into the rooms. Here, we call that "tap" water. These were ice making machines, that is, they froze the water into ice inside the machine. They did not store "premade" ice.

I have also noticed these "Ice making machines" in some of the bars and at least one restraurant. If I had read this thread before I went there last week, I would have paid closer attention to how many actually had "ice making machines" hooked to plumbing (tap water). I know for sure they were not filling these machines with 5 gallon bottled water. :no

Note that I am also not saying that these establishments may or may not have had some sort of filtering or purification system on the water line. From the little I have read, many places do. But the condition and maintenance of these purification systems is questionalbe, and therefore the water that comes out (or so I have read - I have not personally performed any water sample tests).

Given the above, and the questionableness of the water entering these "ice making machines" I think the statement above is misleading. Or is it just different terminology?

If a restaurant or hotel has ice making machines hooked to their plumbing, then they have an approved purification system.

What part of the following statement do people not understand:
Locals (Mexican nationals or ex-pats) do not drink (unpurified) tap water. Drinking purified water is PART OF LIFE here and always has been (at least in modern civilization)...so it has nothing to do with carelessness, accidentally serving bad water, forgetting to be careful of tourist's delicate stomach's, etc. They don't even drink it or make ice with it in their own homes...so why would they do it for visitors?

While it's always good to take prudent measures, these old 20 year old myths of "don't drink the water or ice in Mexico" need to be removed from your brains. Just because this is Mexico, does not mean that it is primitive. Once again, the ice and water you are served in a restaurant, at a hotel, or even at someone's home is not going to be bacteria filled tap water.

While maybe they don't operate EXACTLY the same at the US...we DO have an active health department (almost to the point of being annoying - they come by my home and business almost weekly to check the sisterns and to check for standing water, etc. that could be breeding grounds for bacteria/mosquitoes. etc) and all establishments that serve food and beverages to the public are required to have health certificates, inspections, etc. and they ARE vigilantly monitored. This does not apply to street vendors...so eat there at your own risk.

 

[Diver Kat]

While maybe they don't operate EXACTLY the same at the US...we DO have an active health department (almost to the point of being annoying - they come by my home and business almost weekly to check the sisterns and to check for standing water, etc. that could be breeding grounds for bacteria/mosquitoes. etc) and all establishments that serve food and beverages to the public are required to have health certificates, inspections, etc. and they ARE vigilantly monitored.

I had frequently heard that the island gov't were pretty phobic about controling the mosquitos, and that they spray for them at night ... always wondered if that was true ... from your comments, it sounds like it!

 

[diver 85]

I had frequently heard that the island gov't were pretty phobic about controling the mosquitos, and that they spray for them at night ... always wondered if that was true ... from your comments, it sounds like it!

Now would you honestly trust anything the mexican government is doing???.......I would not......

 

[jjwdiver]

5 pages worth of "drinking the water" - just go on vacation!

 

[ucrtwf]

I was there in Jan. and May and don't think I was bitten by a mosquito once. We also ate at all types of restaraunts (granted, we drank bottled beer and water almost exlusivley), with no bowel issues between my wife and I. I'm not worried about it.
Just my $.02

 

[Diver Kat]

Now would you honestly trust anything the mexican government is doing???.......I would not......

Don't know about the 'Mexican Gov't' in general, but I do think that some things are handled better in Coz than in the states.

 

[diver 85]

Don't know about the 'Mexican Gov't' in general, but I do think that some things are handled better in Coz than in the states.

Well, last time I checked, CZM was part of Mexico.........guess we have to lump them all together......

 

[Diver Kat]

Well, last time I checked, CZM was part of Mexico.........guess we have to lump them all together......

Not really ... we don't lump all the state gov't together here do we? Texas & Louisiana have different gov't, so do the various states of Mexico. And Austin sure isn't run like Houston or Dallas, so I would surmise the Coz might not be run like every other city or town in Mexico.

 

[ggunn]

Now would you honestly trust anything the mexican government is doing???.......I would not......

Maybe I wouldn't, but I don't trust anything that the US gov't is doing, either.

The ice in Cozumel is fine. I have a 30 year history of going to Cozumel and freely consuming the ice with no ill effects.