No matter where you decide to eat, having a glass of water with your meal is a high standard. It is free, so why not drink as much as you want? You might be shocked to hear that there are many reasons you should be cautious about drinking water from restaurants.

Most restaurants offer “safe” tap water to drink. But, how “safe” is it? A simple glass of water can hold a ton of bacteria. This is because there are a lot of different factors that come together. Research shows that ice machines have a ton of bacteria. Lemons sit out and grow a ton of bacteria as well. 

There is no way to ensure that the one you drink out of is immaculate when it comes to the glass itself. You will never know if the staff is taking proper care of everything. The water that you are drinking may hold the worst of it. It is essential to do your research about the water quality in your area so that you know what to expect. You can do this on any EPA resources. 

While some water is written off as safe, specific exposure to chemicals will create unsafe drinking water after testing. It is essential to ask if the restaurant filters their water before ordering it. 

If you don’t want to risk drinking a glass of water, opt to purchase a water bottle or drink a soda instead.