[jordanb]

It's perfectly safe to drink the water out of virtually any tap in America. If you do much traveling, you'll find this is very untrue of the rest of the world (not just India).

Even in Europe water quality varies between "great" and "I wouldn't drink that" on a country-by-country basis, and sometimes on a city-by-city basis. Remember that "Europe" isn't a country and there aren't any such things as "European standards". Even to the extent that there is an European Union which sets standards for a portion of the subcontinent, enforcement and adherence varies widely. In Germany the tap water will be above American standards everywhere. In Italy, for instance, ask a local before drinking.

[arethuza]

"In Italy, for instance, ask a local before drinking."

Maybe in some very out of the way spots - but I've been to Italy a lot for work and pleasure and I've never heard that advice before. Some times tap water tastes vary because of local geology or water source, but that applies everywhere.

[ernesth]

> It's perfectly safe to drink the water out of virtually any tap in America. [...]

> Remember that Europe isn't a country

Is America a country?

[tuukkah]

Yes, it's the country also known as the States or more formally the United States of America: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/America#Proper_noun

[moron]

Indeed we are!

[roel_v]

"It's perfectly safe to drink the water out of virtually any tap in America."

Safe may be, but on many occasions with a strong chlorine smell, something that stops me each time from drinking from such taps, even if they're perfectly safe.