When you visit Cancun, Mexico, you want to experience the best of what the area has to offer. You are likely looking forward to visiting one of the many beautiful resorts or checking out some of the popular activities in this Mexican city. You may be surprised when you learn that tap water is not safe for drinking and brushing your teeth due to bacteria and other contaminants found within it. Here’s what you need to know about using tap water while vacationing in Cancun .
Why you should not brush your teeth with tap water in Cancun
If you plan on visiting Cancun, you should know that there are several risks involved in consuming the city’s tap water. Tap water in Cancun was found to have contaminants including high levels of bacteria and E.coli. If you were planning on brushing your teeth with the tap water, the issue is even worse. As the Environmental Working Group reports, the levels of bacteria found in Cancun’s tap water “far exceeded” what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe to consume. Additionally, the combination of E.coli and bacteria found in Cancun’s tap water could prove deadly. As the result of a 2006 study, E.coli in Cancun’s tap water was found to produce gas known as ricin. According to Medical Daily, a single dose of ricin is potentially lethal.
Why Is Tap water not safe for drinking in Cancun ?
In March 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a warning about drinking tap water in Cancun due to high levels of bacteria. The advisory noted that “outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness have occurred, primarily affecting U.S. vacationers” in the area. You can see the full statement from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico here. “Health authorities have identified Cancun as a area with an increased risk of infection due to the consumption of water from the municipal water supply,” the advisory said. The U.S. Embassy said it has confirmed reports of sickness associated with the consumption of Cancun’s water. The water itself has not been linked to the illnesses, but the area has experienced an uptick in the number of these illnesses compared to years past. The U.S.
Why Tap water is not safe for brushing your teeth ?
Cancun is not alone in this news. Many resorts in Mexico and other countries around the world are dealing with the same issue due to pollution and old infrastructure. In fact, only 18 of the 38 resorts in Cancun now have safe drinking water and the water supply was found to be inadequate by the federal government. The main issue is an aging infrastructure that produces water from oil and other petroleum products. The waste is then flushed directly into the plumbing system where it mixes with the water used for drinking and flushing toilets. “This could lead to E. coli and other microbes,” the World Health Organization (WHO) wrote in a press release. “Tap water can contain an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria,” they said.
Why Should drink bottled water in Cancun ?
According to the Cancun-Cabos Tourist Board, about 6.5 million people visit this popular Mexican city each year. In addition to resort-goers, people who come to visit family and friends, as well as families traveling to a Mexico wedding, may choose to stay in a Cancun hotel. The sheer number of people who visit Cancun each year means you can imagine how many of them end up staying in a hotel. What’s more, the city attracts people from all over the globe, and many of them visit on vacation, either for the fun of exploring the beautiful beaches, visiting resorts, shopping at boutiques or dining at restaurants, or both. Many of these visitors stay in luxury accommodations, which require them to pay for drinking water.
Conclusion – Brushing Your Teeth In Cancun
Tap water in Cancun, Mexico, is not safe to drink or use as a toothbrush. If you find that your toothbrush will not stand up to the cleaning power of tap water, it is best to use something with a battery or electric toothbrush. These types of toothbrushes have a much higher power than their manual counterparts and allow you to get every last bit of toothpaste you apply. One of the reasons tap water in Cancun, Mexico, is not safe to drink or use as a toothbrush is because of the bacteria that often find their way into the city’s water. The most dangerous bacteria found in the water is E. coli , which is known to cause diarrhea and vomiting. Other bacteria found in Cancun, Mexico, can cause eye infections and skin rashes.
