French Mountain Water potability

[kramnnim]

If the water was to blame, wouldn't it affect you much earlier than 9 days afterwards?

[MadRocketSci]

from a giardia/cryto sense I think the incubation periods can be measured in weeks. Dunno about any other local flora.

but I probably already have giardia in me from other outdoor adventures...i'm blaming frozen cookie dough for this one....

[paulh]

Originally Posted by MadRocketSci

S"....basically a pipe sticking out of the side of the mtn flowing water with a stone trough underneath.

Kinda, sorta depends on what kind of animals and their waste are up on top of the mountain, doncha think?

[93legendti]

I took 4 of these (one for each of our family members) to the Middle East this summer. They work great:

http://www.amazon.com/Integrated-150...festraw+bottle

[ScottM]

I often drank from those pipes in France and felt very comfortable knowing that the pipes had served travelers for many years. Signs on fountains were present if the water was not safe to drink.

I liked to think the porous limestone, which made up many of the hills or mountains from which the pipes emanated, made the water safe and tasty.

[jemoryl]

It is very common in the mountains of Portugal (e.g. Geres or Serra da Estrela) to encounter roadside spigots dispensing spring water. Spending some time in those areas (not cycling, unfortunately) I regularly drank from these with no ill effects. In fact, it was usually great water, cold and refreshing.

Besides, how can you not trust this one: