Before we came to Jakarta we were warned by my mother-in-law not to brush with the tap water because when she was in Jakarta in the 90’s she brushed her teeth with tap and got amoeba! To think that she was staying in the best hotel in Indonesia then. Note that she drank only bottled mineral water but brushed with the tap (never swallowed).
I am not sure how much the water systems here has improved since then. But even in hotels, we brush our teeth with bottled mineral water. The only exceptions are when we are in a very high-end hotel and they confirm that they have a water purifying system for their tap and it is safe to use for brushing. Even then, they usually supply bottled water in the toilets for brushing.
We live in an old building and the tap is quite dirty, as shown by the following:
- When the washing machine water level is full, it is not clear – a bit brown actually. The water hose to the machine is now opaque brown from all the particles stuck onto it. Most people have their whites done in the laundry shop here – but they don’t charge by the Kilogram here, they charge per piece. Ouch.
- When we shower and water gets in our eyes, it REALLY hurts/stings our eyes.
- The bathtub floor by the drain is stained brown.
- My skin was breaking out so I had to start washing with mineral water. Expensive right? But it’s cheaper than what I had to pay the dermatologist to fix my skin.
So our solution was to buy a water purifying system for our bathroom sink. It takes out the smell and particles. Good enough for brushing but still not good enough for drinking.
- Master’s Bathroom Sink & Philips Water Purifier
After 6 months of using it, the filter was due for replacement. IT WAS NOT A PRETTY SIGHT.
Supposed to be changed on July 19 2010, but it was too dirty for comfort so we changed the filter today.
The filter cartridge is actually white, so that brown stuff is crud.
The sediments left in the cover
The new filter is pristine white - top and body. Just compare it with the 6 month old filter above. Gross.
I assume that the following are also related to how limited the supply of clean water is here in Jakarta and how expensive it is to clean water.
- Water is never free here. Unlike in Manila where one can just ask for a glass of water in a restaurant and expect to be given a glass of purified water, here you have to pay for mineral water because, if you ask for a glass, you will be given the dreaded tap water.
- Ice is hard to find. One cannot just buy it in a convenience store, like any Mini-stop in Manila. That’s the thing with parties, one has to make sure to find ice ahead of time.
- In restos avoid asking for your drinks in ice, or at least ask for the ice separately so that you can check it before you pour your drink in. I attended a party catered by Hotel Mulia and I saw that some of the ice was dirty (ewwwww!) and that’s Hotel Mulia already!
TIP FOR ANYONE MOVING TO JAKARTA: Make sure that the apartment/house you are going to rent has a good water purifying system for the entire flat/house because this will resolve a lot of headaches like laundering whites, ruining your skin, cooking water, etc.
I recently started an online business in Manila selling shower filters and drinking filters because the water here is quite dirty as well. Coincidentally, one of our customers is Indonesian and keeps telling me the water in Manila is so much worse than in Jakarta. =) Of course, he does live in this old condo in Makati so I think the pipes have a lot to do with the water quality.
That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard! How is that possible? LOL. We lived in an older condo in Makati as well (circa 1990s) but the water is cleaner… let’s just say I can keep my eyes open in the shower without any stinging sensation!
Btw since you are in the water purification business… I noticed that for some reason my hair dries much quicker in Manila (and feels much lighter after) than here in Jakarta? Do the amount of sediments and dirt in the water have anything to do with it? SO weird!
I’m no expert on water (yet!) but based on what I know, the stinging sensation is probably from chlorine. Maybe they over-chlorinate their water? It’s similar to the feeling when you swim in a pool and it stings also, right?
On your question, it is most probably from water quality — and water quality depends on a lot of factors: the quality of the initial water coming into the dams, the water treatment process, the city’s pipes, the house’s pipes, even the weather (when there’s a drought or when the rainy season starts, you sometimes notice the water is dirtier). I live in QC and given the same period of time, I’ve noticed that our filters are more dirty than my IL’s house in Pasig. So it’s a difficult science! Very nerdy.
Anyway, let’s not bore your readers. haha. I actually sent you a separate email. Hope you can read it.
Dear OCMominManila, thanks for the info! I am very interested in all this! I am OC myself! I can’t imagine what I will be like when I am a mom! LOL. Yes I’ve received your email. Unfortunately I’ve been so busy attending the Suzuki Cup and the surrounding Filipino Community events that I was unable to reply. I would love to try your shower filter! I’ve been looking for one but have been unable to find one here in Jakarta! If you’re friend from J&J can bring it, I would very much appreciate it. Since we are not going home over the holidays. Thank you so much!
Hello! I just discovered your blogsite. Very helpful to this expat wife who just moved in to Jakarta, the fact that it’s authored by a co-Pinoy makes it a little more personal too 🙂 Having a grand time browsing here, keep it coming!
Hello Amory, thank you for your comment. I am glad you are finding the site helpful! Happy browsing!
Where in Jakarta did you buy your filter?
I can’t remember exactly but I know it is available in Metro and Electronic City. You can also check Best Denki.
Aha! NOW I see what you mean…! (you responded last December, to a comment I made, on another blog, about Berlin’s water quality, and I’ve only now seen your comment). I suppose even matters of water quality are relative! Enjoy Berlin, then, and drink up! (laugh)