Originally Posted by
Badenoch
Not overdoing it is good advice. Be wary about advice from Americans. Their CDC is very conservative when it comes to water safety and other potential travel risks.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/food-water-safety
Asking locals carries some risks though. When asked people in northern Namibia seemed mildly offended and bluntly informed me their water came from underground bore holes and was quite safe. I've drank tap water there ever since with no ill effects.
The CDC is a killjoy - but that's going to be true of many/most governmental public health entities, particularly from "first world" countries. Canada's comparable site is broadly similar in its cautions, in fact more risk-averse in some aspects. For example Canada advises just to "avoid food from street vendors" while the CDC page recommends caution but gives tips on what to look for if choosing street food. Canada makes a blanket statement to only brush your teeth with purified or bottled water, not differentiating between locations with risky water sources...so following their advice at face value would lead one to brush only with bottled water even in London, Tokyo, or Zurich! The CDC at least directs its similar caution about teeth brushing to developing countries or "some areas". But then the CDC recommends wiping the top of a can of soda before drinking, which is overkill. Best to get specific data and advice about the particular destinations you're visiting and not rely only on broad generalizations from public health entities.
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/heal...ety/food-water