Water is necessary for life in all ways, from washing out waste from the body to supporting brain function. Furthermore, Erasmus students who study abroad are aware of its essence. And those with common sense research a city's water status before arriving. They are aware that their comfort and health are equally important to their time away in a “distant” country.
You may also wish to find out if Nantes' tap water is safe to drink if you are visiting the city. And if you're the sort who avoids drinking tap water, will boiling it or adding a filter suffice? The good news is that international organizations as well as French and EU agencies have deemed French tap water safe to consume.
When you are out for dinner, you may ask for a carafe d’eau instead of bottled water. The bottled water is expensive and should not be considered if you are on a budget. Meanwhile, waiters are expected to serve you tap water, and you might observe a chloral taste or smell.
Is the tap water of Nantes safe to drink?
The Pays de la Loire capital has had indoor running water since 1889, but there were only 1055 houses connected at the time. The tap water system is safer now than it was hundreds of years before. The organic chemistry, chemical, corrosion, and bacteriology divisions at the French Water analysis and research laboratories each receive and record more than 2000000 samples. The samples are delivered from several sources. To ensure that the water coming from the tap is potable, samples are also taken from homes during the final stage.
Where does the potable water come from?
Drinking water production is divided into two-thirds groundwater collection and one-third surface water collection (dams, streams,ponds). Precipitation in the form of snowfall and rain, as well as runoff and infiltration, are the sources of groundwater and rivers. This cycle undergoes substantial changes as a result of human activities like agriculture and livestock raising, as well as their side effects like deforestation, the destruction of wetlands, and climate change, especially in the water flows that are conveyed.
After being captured, the water is treated at a water treatment facility. The quality of the water that was initially collected determines the treatment that is used. For groundwater, simple physical treatment (filter and decantation) and disinfection are sufficient in 65% of the situations.
The extent of the physical and chemical treatments needed for surface water depends on the quality of the water that needs to be treated. In some instances, a refinement process using ozonation, activated carbons, and/or membrane filtration is done in addition to remove as much dissolved organic matter and micropollutants as feasible (pesticides, etc.).
The next stage of treatment is always disinfection, which is typically accomplished by adding chlorine. Chlorine has a long-lasting disinfectant effect that keeps water in great condition while being stored in tanks and until it is distributed.
The average amount of drinking water consumed per person in France is thought to be around 130 liters per day, of which 75% is used for hygiene (including 10% for sanitary facilities) and 5% is used for food. 15% of total consumption is accounted for by this household use. Agriculture uses 60% of the drinking water, while industry and energy utilize 40%.
Does it taste good?
No. Anyone who has ever drunk an involuntary sip of water in a swimming pool can roughly imagine the taste. I would not have thought that I am so much looking forward to the Liechtenstein tap water again.
Additional: Source and Inspiration
UMontpellier (2022)
https://www.umontpellier.fr/en/articles/dou-vient-leau-du-robinet-comment-sa-qualite-est-elle-assuree#:~:text=Drinking%20water%20in%20France%20comes,resources%2C%20is%20treated%20and%20distributed.&text=Once%20captured%2C%20the%20water%20is,quality%20of%20the%20water%20collected.
France Travel Blog, by Peter (unknown Date)
https://francetravelblog.com/can-you-drink-tap-water-in-france/