Staying hydrated on your mission trip can be challenging. When I was in Uganda, I had some terrifying experiences with drinking water that led me to want to inform others about the dangers of drinking water in third world countries like Uganda.

Water is not accessible in many countries like the United States. Many Africans travel many miles on foot to “fetch water” from various sources and wells. I saw women and children with large cans of water on the top of their heads that are used to carry water from village to village. This water is not suitable for drinking. Many people suggest boiling this water thoroughly for at least eight minutes before it is safe to drink or even brush your teeth. This boiling process helps remove contaminants from the water that can cause extreme illness.

Waterborne diseases are caused by microorganisms that are consumed through fresh water sources. Around the world, many people die each year from these diseases. Some of these can be prevented through healthy and safe water consumption practices.

While in Uganda, I noticed that some bottles of water that are sold on the street in various street markets are not safe to drink. Some villagers have been known to handle bottles of water before selling them to travelers from other countries. This is one way people make money from dishonest sales practices. This water tampering can be detected by checking the bottom of the water bottle that is being sold before paying for it. An easy way to check is to turn the bottle upside down and inspect the bottom of the bottle for any tampering marks. These will usually be very small and even difficult to recognize. But with careful examination, small holes will be noticed. The moment they are noticed, politely excuse yourself from buying the water and find another dealer.

Some water from natural sources is safe to drink after a distillation process. You will need to ensure that you follow safe practices when consuming water in foreign countries, including water that is offered for sale.